2095 Results in the "Fiction" category


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      Thirty-Six

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      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…
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      Thirty-Seven

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      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…
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      Thirty-One

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Tané reflecting on her past triumph—scaling Mount Tego, a grueling trial that proved her worthiness to the spirit Kwiriki. Now, however, she feels broken and hollow, imprisoned for an undisclosed crime. Dragged before the Governor of Ginura, she is confronted with her betrayal: aiding a foreigner in violation of Seiiki’s strict laws. The Governor reveals that Tané’s actions were exposed by the executed prisoner, who described her scar. Tané’s once-promising future as a…
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      Thirty-Nine

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter follows Eadaz uq-Nāra as she journeys through the Burlah desert with a caravan of forty travelers. Clad in a white pargh and riding a camel, Ead reflects on her return to the South, which initially felt like a rebirth but soon became a harsh reminder of the desert's unforgiving nature. The caravan encounters Nuram tribesmen, who warn of wyrms venturing beyond the mountains, possibly emboldened by rumors of a High Western's sighting. Ead's thoughts drift to her visit to the Buried City near the…
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      Thirty-Four

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      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…
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      Thirty-Five

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      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…
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      Thirty-Eight

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Tané, a scholar on Feather Island, engaging in her morning ritual of prayer and reflection in an underground cavern. She kneels before a unique statue of the Great Elder Kwiriki, depicted with hybrid animal features, finding solace in the quiet darkness. Her routine is interrupted by Elder Vara, an eccentric but kind figure who invites her to the restricted repository, a rare privilege. Tané hesitates, aware of the rules, but Elder Vara insists, leaving her to finish her prayers…
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      Thirty

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Truyde utt Zeedeur imprisoned in the Dearn Tower, having confessed to orchestrating a staged attack during the royal visit. Her plan was to convince Queen Sabran of imminent danger from Yscalin and the Nameless One, hoping to push her toward negotiations with the East. However, the scheme backfired when genuine enemies of the House of Berethnet infiltrated the performance, resulting in the murder of Lievelyn and several others. Truyde’s intentions, though well-meaning, led to…
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      Thirteen

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Tané undergoing a rigorous trial involving knife-throwing, observed by the Sea General and members of Clan Miduchi. Despite her nervousness, she performs well, though not as flawlessly as Turosa, a skilled apprentice from the North House. Onren, another competitor, arrives late but impresses everyone by achieving a perfect score. The trial highlights the intense competition among the apprentices and the high expectations placed on them to prove their worthiness to join the elite…
    • Third Story — Of the Flower-Garden At the Old Woman’s Who Understood Witchcraft Cover
      by LovelyMay Third Story opens as little Gerda reaches the edge of a flowing river, her eyes searching its endless surface for any sign of Kay. Though rumors and grief might tempt her to believe he’s drowned, she refuses to accept it. When the sunshine kisses her cheeks and the swallows fly past with cheerful songs, she takes these as gentle refusals of sorrow—small signs that Kay still lives. In a desperate offering, she removes her red shoes, those same shoes Kay had never seen, and lays them on the river in…
      Fable • Fantasy
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