2095 Results in the "Fiction" category


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      Three

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Tané, a young apprentice in Seiiki, awakening on Choosing Day—the pivotal moment that will determine her future in the High Sea Guard. Restless and anxious, she reflects on her reckless decision to hide an outsider in Orisima, a act that could jeopardize her and her friend Susa’s lives. As she prepares for the ceremony, the weight of her choices and the day’s significance weigh heavily on her. The vivid descriptions of the South House and its surroundings underscore the…
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      Thirty-Two

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Lord Arteloth Beck, known as Loth, awakening in an unfamiliar underground chamber, naked and disoriented. He soon experiences the terrifying onset of the bloodblaze, a plague that feels like his blood is boiling, causing unbearable pain. In his agony, he recalls stories of the Grief of Ages, understanding why the East sealed its borders. As he struggles toward a pool for relief, a mysterious figure with a calming voice intervenes, questioning his identity and the origin of an iron…
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      Thirty-Three

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      by testsuphomeAdmin The chapter opens with Niclays and Jannart in Brygstad Palace, stealing moments of intimacy in a room reserved for royal births. Their relationship is clandestine, as Jannart is bound by an arranged marriage, and their love violates the laws of Virtudom. The narrative hints at the tension between their private lives and public duties, especially as Jannart is a close friend of High Prince Edvart, who may turn a blind eye to their affair. The setting is rich with symbolism, from the star-painted ceiling to…
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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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