Karat sipped her wine.  “Personal combat is a perfectly acceptable way to settle grievances between competing siblings.” If only.  Maud leaned back in her chair.  “It wasn’t personal.” “What?” “My husband arranged an ambush for his brother.” Karat blinked.  “I don’t understand.  You did say your husband was the better combatant.” “My husband also was told in no uncertain terms that his brother would become the marshal, and any attempt to sabotage that rise would be unacceptable to … [Read more...]

We are not dead, there was no major emergency.  Sometimes the writing just takes a little longer and this turned out to be a two-scene chunk.  It is coming to you umproofread, because you have flooded our mailbox with comments and emails.  Suffer, dudes. The door chimed at fifteen minutes till seven. Maud opened it.  A retainer stood in the doorway.  She was young, about twenty or so, with long brown hair tamed into a sleek waterfall and secured with an elaborate hair net of thin … [Read more...]

The long hallway of House Krahr’s citadel lay deserted.  Behind Maud, the noise of the feast hall was dying down, receding with every step. Helen walked next to her, her face sullen. “What happened?” Maud asked softly. “They asked me where I came from, and I told them about how I made my room, and Aunt Dina said she would get me fishes.  This boy said that houses can’t move if you think at them.  He said I was lying.” Of course, he did.  “Then what happened?” “Then I got mad.”  Helen … [Read more...]

Many thanks to Prof. Bronwyn H. Bleakley for her generosity in explaining evolution of social behavior to us. All errors of theory, fact, and science are ours alone. Tell me all about it. Oh you clever, clever lees.  Maud leaned back and laughed. Clan Nuan watched her, the little foxes caught in identical poses, their ears flicking.  For some reason it cracked her up even more. She laughed until she snorted. “Did I say something funny?” Nuan Cee inquired. Maud managed to get the … [Read more...]

Let us know if the follow up comment feature is annoying.  It seems to be emailing all follow-up comments. No proofreaders this time, because we are late.  :) Maud stepped through the doorway into the hallway.  Behind her the door slid shut, cutting off the lees and their outraged cries. Arland glanced at Helen.  His eyes darkened.  “Who?” “It was a formal challenge,” Maud said. “I’m getting ripper cushions,” Helen told him. Arland turned to Maud. “Lady Helen challenged … [Read more...]

The door chimed. Maud sat up on the bed, instantly awake, and for a confused moment, tried to open the door with her mind.  Then reality sank in: she wasn’t back at Dina’s inn.  She was in her quarters in House Krahr’s castle. The door chimed again. Last night she’d stayed in Arland’s room way too long.  They’d ended up talking about the space station long after Helen had fallen asleep. She pulled on soft sweatpants. “Time?” she asked. Glowing red numbers ignited on the wall above … [Read more...]