2095 Results in the "Fiction" category


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      Twenty-Three

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Lord Arteloth Beck endures a grueling journey through the icy Spindles, battling extreme cold and physical exhaustion. Haunted by grief for his lost companion Kit, he focuses on survival, skinning a mountain ewe and building a fire in a cave. Despite his fear of attracting wyrms, he finds solace in the routine of sustenance and shelter. His hands, raw and red, serve as a grim reminder of his deteriorating condition, while an unexplained rash fuels his anxiety about an uncertain fate. Loth follows the…
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      Twenty-Six

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Queen Sabran preparing for her first public appearance in fourteen years, a royal progress to Ascalon that has stirred excitement across Inys. Ead Duryan, one of her ladies-in-waiting, discreetly arms herself with hidden blades, hinting at underlying tensions. The queen’s attire—midnight velvet and a sword-shaped brooch—is carefully chosen to evoke her late mother, Queen Rosarian, and to project regal divinity. Sabran’s sleeplessness and quiet demeanor reveal her anxiety…
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      Twenty-Seven

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      by testsuphomeAdmin In this chapter of *The Priory of the Orange Tree*, Niclays Roos devises a perilous plan to secure his return to the West by creating an elixir from dragon blood, a substance forbidden by Eastern law. Despite his usual cowardice, Niclays resolves to take the risk, driven by desperation and ambition. He sends a secret letter to Lady Tané Miduchi, a dragonrider, requesting a meeting, ensuring the message is delivered discreetly. As he waits for her response, Niclays reflects on his past and the mysterious…
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      Twenty-One

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Loth prepares to leave the Palace of Salvation under the cover of night, aware that he is infected with the Draconic plague after touching the Flesh King. Carrying supplies and weapons, he is accompanied by his friend Kit, who reluctantly joins him despite the dangers. They descend into the hidden depths of Cárscaro, following directions from the Donmata Marosa, who awaits them at the base of a secret stair. She reveals a forgotten escape route through the mountains, warning them of the Draconic creatures…
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      Twenty-Nine

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Tané, a dragonrider, confined to her luxurious quarters at Salt Flower Castle after confessing to her dragon, Nayimathun. Despite the opulence of her surroundings, she is consumed by anxiety, unable to eat or sleep. Nayimathun has left to retrieve Sulyard, a foreigner under divine protection, and secure the release of Susa from jail. Meanwhile, the coastal settlement of Sidupi is under attack by pirates, diverting most dragonriders to assist the High Sea Guard. Tané’s isolation…
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      Twenty-Four

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Ead awaiting word from Chassar about her extended stay in Inys, while the court grows fond of Prince Aubrecht Lievelyn. Sabran, the queen, begins attending masques and plays with her consort, displaying rare moments of joy and affection. However, her frustration mounts when she fails to conceive an heir, leading to volatile outbursts. Ead remains a constant presence, observing Sabran's struggles with both the pressures of motherhood and the financial burdens of defending Mentendon…
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      Twenty-Five

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Niclays Roos, an exiled scholar, finds temporary solace in Ginura as a guest of the Moyaka household. During the vibrant Summerfall festival, he immerses himself in Seiikinese culture, savoring local delicacies and marveling at the golden leaves transforming into red buds. Accompanied by his chaperons, Eizaru and Purumé, he explores the coastal landscape, including the striking Grieving Orphan volcanic stack. Despite his exile, Niclays begins to envision a future in Ginura, clinging to the fragile hope…
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      Twenty-Eight

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      by testsuphomeAdmin Loth arrives in Rauca, the vibrant capital of the Ersyr, overwhelmed by its sensory richness—colorful spices, fragrant gardens, and towering windcatchers adorned with blueglass. Accompanied by a silent ichneumon, he navigates the bustling streets, feeling out of place yet intrigued by the unfamiliar culture. The grandeur of the Ivory Palace, home to the House of Taumargam, dominates the cityscape, its gleaming domes and pristine walls a stark contrast to the chaotic markets below. Loth seeks Chassar…
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      Twenty

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Tané recovering from her exhausting fight with Turosa during the sea guardians' trials. Isolated in her quarters, she nurses a painful shoulder wound while anxiously awaiting the next day's announcement about who will become dragon riders. To distract herself, she revisits *Recollections of the Great Sorrow*, a book filled with haunting illustrations of past battles and the red sickness that once plagued Seiiki. The vivid imagery of dragons and demons stirs her memories and fears,…
    • TWELVE AND A HALF YEARS AGO Cover
      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Grayson and Jameson Hawthorne, two brothers who thrive on bending rules, preparing to outsmart their family's Christmas morning tradition. The rule states no one may leave their rooms before seven, but the brothers cleverly set the clocks forward to 6:25, ensuring an early start. Their competitive spirit ignites as they race through Hawthorne House, only to discover their five-year-old brother, Xander, has already arrived by creatively rolling instead of stepping. The scene captures…
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