testsuphomeAdmin

    Stories 167
    Chapters 9,217
    Words 23.6 M
    Comments 0
    Reading 81 days, 23 hours81 d, 23 h
    • Thirty-Seven Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens in the study of Principal Secretary Combe, a powerful and calculating figure whose unassuming workspace belies his influence. Ead Duryan, a Lady of the Bedchamber, is summoned and informed that Queen Sabran has discharged her from court due to their intimate relationship. Combe reveals his network of spies reported their affair, emphasizing the political instability it could cause. Ead maintains her composure but internally strategizes her next move, aware of the precariousness of her…
    • Thirty-Six Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Ead keeping vigil over Queen Sabran, who remains gravely ill after being wounded by the White Wyrm. The aftermath of the attack haunts Ead, particularly the memory of Sabran's near-death experience and the loss of her unborn child. Despite rigorous precautions, Sabran developed a severe infection that left her infertile—a devastating revelation that threatens the continuity of the Berethnet bloodline. This secret is known only to a select few, including the Royal Physician and the…
    • Thirty-Five Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Niclays Roos, a former alchemist turned reluctant surgeon aboard the pirate ship *Pursuit*, successfully treats a crew member stung by a rare quarl, earning the favor of the Golden Empress. Despite his medical triumph, he endures harsh conditions, sleeping on the deck and facing abuse from pirates. His despair deepens as he reflects on his lost comforts in Orisima, contrasting sharply with his current plight. The chapter highlights his vulnerability and the precariousness of his new role under the…
    • Thirty-Four Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Queen Sabran’s pregnancy bringing joy to Inys, as the people celebrate the promise of a new heir despite the recent death of Prince Aubrecht. Sabran decides to return to Ascalon Palace to avoid the painful memories of Briar House, and the court prepares for the arrival of the child with new gowns and a refurbished lying-in chamber. However, beneath the surface of celebration, Sabran struggles with physical sickness and emotional turmoil, her condition carefully monitored by her…
    • Forty-Six Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin In this chapter, Ead returns to the kitchens of the Priory, reminiscing about her childhood and reconnecting with Tulgus, the head cook. She subtly inquires about the Prioress’s sun wine, masking her true intentions while observing Loth, who appears drugged with dreamroot. Ead seizes an opportunity to steal a pinch of powder from the spice jars, hinting at her clandestine plans. The scene establishes her calculated demeanor and the tension of her impending actions, as she balances nostalgia with the…
    • Forty-Seven Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter follows Loth and Ead as they flee through the forest on the ichneumon Aralaq, heading toward the Lasian capital of Nzene. Loth reflects on his past, recalling memories of his sister Margret and their shared studies about Lasia, while grappling with the hope of reuniting with her. The journey is arduous, with Aralaq navigating treacherous terrain until they reach the foothills of the Godsblades, where they pause to take in the breathtaking view of Nzene—a city of golden sandstone, towering…
    • Forty-Eight Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens on Feather Island, where the aftermath of a fire is being quenched by heavy rain. The Little Shadow-girl emerges from exile and connects with the earth, reflecting on the celestial origins of a powerful jewel she carries. This jewel, a remnant of a comet that ended the Great Sorrow, is revealed to be one of two ancient artifacts imbued with cosmic power. The narrative hints at their historical significance, suggesting they once granted control over natural forces to their bearers. The…
    • Forty-Nine Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin Loth and Ead arrive in Inys aboard the *Bird of Truth*, greeted by a melancholic and sunless coastline. Their destination is Albatross Roost, the westernmost settlement, from where they plan to ride hard to Ascalon within a week. Ead, visibly weakened since leaving Lasia, remains vigilant as they observe the growing Draconic Army fleet near Quarl Bay. In a display of her formidable power, Ead silently incinerates five enemy ships with fire, a stark reminder of the looming threat posed by King Sigoso’s…
    • Fifty Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Ead, a skilled and stealthy operative, navigating the palace after killing a guard. She instructs Loth to hide with Margret while she scouts the area, noting his shock at her lethal actions. Ead moves through the palace undetected, neutralizing two knights-errant outside the Sanctuary Royal. Inside, she observes the courtiers' divided loyalties, symbolized by their livery, and hears a prayer for Queen Sabran, who is supposedly in seclusion. Ead deduces that the Duchess of Justice is…
    • Fifty-One Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Tané approaching Elder Vara at dawn in the courtyard of Vane Hall, where he is oiling his iron leg. She brings him food and engages in a conversation about his prosthetic, revealing his dependence on it since its creator is deceased. Their exchange shifts to more pressing matters when Elder Vara shares troubling news: the Fleet of the Tiger Eye is rumored to be holding the dragon Nayimathun hostage, using her as leverage for safe passage. Tané is visibly shaken by this revelation,…
    Note