When we last left Dina, Sean, and the Inn, Kosandion was still looking for his spouse. The introduction ceremony had finished, everyone had dinner, and we learned about the collective empathy of the Dominion citizens. Dina recalled the complete emotional breakdown the Dominion guests experienced at her parents’ inn when they learned that Caldenia murdered her brother, Kosandion’s father. The dinner ended with Her Grace wanting to have “a word” with Dina.
“I wish to visit Lady Wexyn.”
Not the word I expected. I had separated us by a soundproof partition, so I could still keep an eye on the diners, and I had to keep my expression calm, while Her Grace turned her back on them probably so they couldn’t read her lips.
“May I ask why?”
“I wish to have a chat.”
Her face told me that the only way to get more would be to honor her request and tag along. Unfortunately, I still had a busy dining hall to babysit.
“One moment.”
I checked the other two dining halls. Sean’s was still half full, but Tony was done, and he was moving my way. A moment and he came around the corner. I dropped the partition and approached him.
“Would you mind looking after this crowd while I run a quick errand?”
He gave me a smile. “That’s what I’m here for.”
“Thank you.” I turned to Caldenia. “I will take you to Lady Wexyn, Your Grace. She may choose to not see you, and as you know, we guard the privacy of our guests.”
“She will see me,” Caldenia said.
And that didn’t sound ominous. Not at all.
We strolled out of the dining hall and back into the Grand ballroom. The sun was setting, and as we walked, the chamber transitioned from day to night, mimicking the sunset at the Capital. The floor and walls began to darken, steadily gaining a blue tint. Astronomical symbols of the Dominion shifted to sunset-orange. On the left side, where the sky dimmed, a faint edge of the purple moon slipped into view, delicate and pale as if cut from tulle. It would grow solid by the time we came back.
Crossing the Grand Ballroom took some time. We passed into a long hallway interrupted by arched floor to ceiling windows showing a projected view of Texas sunset over the never-ending fields.
“You could simply do that thing you do,” Caldenia waved her hand dismissively. “Instead of making us walk all the way.”
“But then how would we clear the air, Your Grace?”
Caldenia rolled her eyes.
“Are the decorations to your liking?”
“They’re adequate. Barely.”
She was really in a mood.
We kept walking. If I had to make this trip longer to accomplish this conversation, I would “do that thing” I did. We would keep walking until both of us said what we had to say.
“You should have told me,” Caldenia said.
“I tried.”
“You should have tried harder.”
Sometimes the best defense is no defense at all. “You’re absolutely right, Your Grace. It’s my fault. I apologize.”
Caldenia glanced at me. If looks could cut, I’d have a big gash right between my eyes.
“Your insincere show of meekness will not pacify me.”
“Of course not.”
Caldenia stopped.
“Are you tired, Your Grace? Would you like a chair to rest in for a moment?”
“The audacity!”
I simply waited.
“I had no idea you had it in you.”
“I didn’t. Not always, but I had a very good teacher.”
Caldenia glared at me. “Yes, you did. And don’t you forget it.”
We resumed walking. She knew perfectly well that to tell her about the Sovereign, I would have had to cross the personal boundaries she had put in place. She would pardon me for respecting her wishes, but she would have never forgiven me for trampling on her freedom.
A part of her must’ve known. The description of the spousal selection had to have sounded familiar, so she must’ve suspected it and made a conscious or subconscious effort to avoid it. She would never admit it, but Caldenia was both perceptive and introspective. Her mind was as sharp as her teeth.
“Do you have any idea how much trouble this entire affair will bring?”
“Yes.”
“I very much doubt it. You’ve jumped into the whirlpool, and you’re in danger of drowning.”
“If I do drown, would you throw me a rope so I can pull myself out, Your Grace?”
She arched her eyebrows. “Do we have that kind of relationship?”
“That’s up to you, Your Grace.”
I halted. The distant door at the end of the hallway rushed at us and stopped two feet from me.
“If any harm comes to the Sovereign, the Assembly will take my inn. If anything happens to one of the guests on my watch, I may as well surrender the inn, since I wouldn’t deserve it.”
“Are you threatening me with the loss of my safe haven?” Caldenia’s eyes blazed.
“No. You are a guest, Your Grace. My very first one. Your wellbeing and safety are my first priority. I am simply advising you of facts. I hope that when things become dire, you would give me your guidance as you have in the past. Do you still wish to see Lady Wexyn?”
She tilted her chin up. “Yes.”
I knocked on the door. “Her Grace Caldenia ka ret Magren to see Lady Wexyn Dion-Dian.”
The door swung open, and a veiled male attendant with dark eyeliner, broad shoulders, and tan muscular arms invited us in with a bow. We followed him inside.
The door opened to the courtyard paved with pale brown stones. A brook wound its way around it, spilling into a wide pond. Beautiful Fortune trees leaned over the blue pond like slender women, dripping their long branches with lemon-yellow leaves into the water. An ornate wooden pavilion perched on the shore, cushioned in Fortune trees and ornamental shrubs studded with blood-red blossoms the size of a large peony. Within the pavilion, Lady Wexyn reclined on a chaise, sipping tea from a flower-shaped cup.
She had traded her spectacular golden tree for a small crown of glittering green jewels that was likely worth millions but seemed modest in comparison. A chocolate brown, diaphanous skirt hid her legs, secured by a wide sash of lighter russet embroidered with gold. The sash wound around her hips, clasped in place with an elaborate golden broch showcasing a green gemstone stone the size of a walnut. A pale, rose gold top wrapped her ample breasts, leaving the soft stomach bare. Another wide translucent sash, this one green, completed the outfit, draping strategically over her shoulders and waist. She was barefoot and a dozen thin bracelets and anklets decorated her wrists and ankles.
She saw Caldenia and rose in one fluid movement, dipping her head. Her dark eyes sparkled. “Letere Olivione! You honor me.”
“Greetings,” Caldenia said, her face radiating menace. Her Grace, joy personified.
Lady Wexyn lowered herself to the chaise. Everything she did was beautiful. She was like a gifted artist who painted with her body instead of a paint brush.
Attendants appeared, deposited tea and snacks at a side table, and withdrew silently like brightly colored wraiths.
Caldenia scrutinized Lady Wexyn, who sipped her tea and fluttered her eyelashes.
“You look like your mother. Has she spoken of me?”
“Yes, Letere Olivione. At length.” Lady Wexyn nodded, her expression earnest and devoid of any subtlety.
“Then this will be quicker and simpler. If you interfere with my plans, I will kill every creature within your little Temple and explode the planet on which it perches.”
Okay then.
“Oh my goodness!” Lady Wexyn opened her eyes as big as they could go.
Caldenia narrowed her eyes. Lady Wexyn gazed back at her, a picture of innocence.
A few moments passed.
“Dina,” Caldenia said. “Please leave us.”
I looked at her.
“I won’t harm her,” Caldenia said.
Great. Now if I refused, she would take it as an insult. Caldenia had never broken a promise to me, but there was always the first time.
“Do you wish to allow Her Grace to remain in your quarters?” I asked.
“Yes,” Lady Wexyn said. “It is a blessing to be in her presence.”
Blessing was one way to put it. “Should you encounter any difficulties, call my name.”
“I shall,” she promised with a solemn expression.
Why did I get a sense that I was being humored?
The two of them were looking at me. Both guests requested privacy for their conversation. Not much I could do.
“Very well.”
I walked away from the pavilion. Whether she liked it or not, Gertrude Hunt was Caldenia’s chosen sanctuary. I just had to hope she remembered that.
#
The Pit of the Dushegubs was 50 yards across and 200 yards deep. Even if they stood on top of each other, they couldn’t climb out. Three feet of murky water enriched with nutrients flooded the edges of the hole’s bottom. In the center a small mud island offered a bit of dry land. Above, a high-powered light source simulated the lavender sun of the Dushegub’s planet, cycling between red in the morning, violet-blue during the day, and a deep purple in the evening.
It was night now, and the light had dimmed to an indigo glow mimicking the native fluorescent clouds. In this diffused light, the Dushegubs were mere shadows, a tangle of roots and branches slithering over each other like black serpents. Luckily for me, Gertrude Hunt had excellent sensors, and the view on my massive screen was crystal clear.
I leaned back in my chair, trying to relax. Everyone else was safely in their quarters for the night. I had locked them all in so nobody could wander. My feet hurt, and my head buzzed a bit, as if a swarm of bees was trying to settle inside my skull after a busy day of flying and collecting honey. Beast napped in her dog bed by the wall. She’d rolled onto her back, and her four paws lay limp, sticking out in the air.
Even my dog was worn out.
Sean slipped into the room and wrapped his arms around me. I leaned my head against his warm muscular forearm.
“Problems?” he asked.
“They should have formed a copse for the night.”
Sean glanced at the screen. The Dushegubs were treading water in small groups, three or four trees in each one.
“They’re up to something,” I told him.
He let me go and stepped aside. My chair grew wider, flowing into a couch. He sat next to me and put his arm around my shoulders. I rested my head on his biceps. We watched the wandering Dushegubs. They would slither a few feet, slide their branches and roots against the reinforced walls of the Pit, then slither a little further.
“They’re testing it,” Sean said.
“Yes, but why? It’s concrete layered with space grade flexi-steel. They’d need a high-powered drill to get through it. What could they be planning?”
“Shenanigans,” Sean said in a somber voice.
I turned to look at him. “What?”
“Hijinks, mischief. They’re up to no good.”
I laughed softly.
“How is Caldenia doing?” he asked.
“She visited Lady Wexyn and promised her that if Lady Wexyn interfered in her plans, she would blow up her planet.”
Sean raised his eyebrows. “Plans? What plans?”
“She didn’t share that with me.”
“That’s concerning.”
Two of the Dushegub groups came together by the far wall. I adjusted the angle so we could see them from the side.
“Why that wall?” Sean murmured.
“I put a dummy camera on the opposite side. They saw it and now they’re trying to shield their plot from view.”
“Sly dog, you.”
“Thank you.”
I snuggled closer to him. I hadn’t seen him since dinner. After leaving Caldenia and Lady Wexyn, I headed back to the dining hall, but the Kai delegation informed me that one of their members had developed a twitch in his middle left limb, which was a matter of grave concern to the entire delegation. After an hour of medical scans it was confirmed that the twitch was a stress response, so I created a sensory respite area in their quarters where they could destress.
After that, Resven wanted to fight with me over the Holy Ecclesiarch’s meal, which I shut down flat by presenting him with the medical records of the Holy Ecclesiarch Resven himself had sent to me. That shut him up but didn’t endear me to him in the slightest.
After that I received a request from the Oomboles who explained to me that the water plants in their habitat failed to provide enough privacy. I doubled the number of plants, but they didn’t like their color and felt there was not enough variety, so I had sent Gaston out to Baha-char to get the different plants. They were now cycling in the quarantine tank and would be added to the habitat tomorrow provided they were free of diseases and contaminants.
“How did it go with the Otrokars?” I asked.
“Do you remember that cartoon we watched where Thor is an environmentalist?”
“The one where he kept having peaceful protests until he was provoked?’”
“That’s the one. The Otrokars want to be provoked. Very badly.”
“Ugh.”
We sat in silence for a couple of minutes.
“How likely is she to go after Kosandion?” he asked.
“Caldenia?”
He nodded.
“I don’t know. I reminded her that the survival of the inn is at stake. Previously, when there were conflicts involving the inn, she was always a neutral third party. This isn’t a neutral matter. It’s family and painful memories. Kosandion is a reminder of why she lost everything and now lives in exile.”
He frowned.
“What?” I asked.
“Wondering if she’s considering going out in a blaze of glory. She’s already infamous. Murdering Kosandion would make her a legend.”
One of the Dushegubs split. Its thick trunk opened. The other Dushegub thrust roots into it and withdrew a mining drill, the kind used in asteroid mining.
“Huh,” Sean said.
“It’s probably an old injury. They shoved the drill in there and glued the stem back together with sap.”
“And it didn’t show up on weapon scans.”
“Apparently not.”
The Dushegubs struggled with the drill’s controls. It was clearly made for someone with slender digits rather than thick roots.
“If Caldenia wanted to go out in a ‘blaze of glory’ she’s had plenty of opportunities to do so.”
Sean shook his head. “But none like this. Killing her nephew, the Sovereign, on Earth, in an inn, live, or almost live on galactic television. It would be even bigger than killing her brother.”
“I don’t think she’ll do it.”
“She could though.”
“But she won’t.”
The drill flashed with lights. The Dushegubs flailed their roots.
“Do you trust her that much?”
“I don’t trust her. I trust her survival instincts. Sean, this woman ruled over nine star systems. She gave it all up to come live at this inn where she drinks Mello-Yello and tries to murder tomatoes in her garden with her lack of nurturing skills. She did it because it was the only way to survive. Her will to live is that strong.”
“Why did she kill her brother?”
“Nobody knows.”
Sean sighed. “And that’s the problem. If she had done it because she could, if she gave up nine star systems to eliminate her brother, would she give up exile in the inn to eliminate her nephew?”
The Dushegubs planted the drill against the wall and turned it on. Sparks flew.
“I guess we’ll find out,” I said.
“True. It’s not like we have a choice.”
The only choice would be to exclude Caldenia completely by confining her to her quarters and neither of us would do that.
Sean looked at the world a little differently than I did. I kept track of various possibilities, but I was reasonably good at predicting what would happen. Sean concentrated on what could happen, and there was a vast difference between the two. It made us into a good team.
The Dushegub closest to the hole got hit with a spray of sparks and slithered away hissing up a storm.
“There’s one thing that puzzles me,” Sean said. “You’re Kosandion. Your aunt killed your father and started an interstellar war. You see her, finally after all this time, and you are civil to her. You are completely unbothered by her presence. Your heart rate doesn’t rise, your pupils don’t dilate, your breathing stays even. He wasn’t pretending. He was cool as a cucumber. Why?”
I spread my arms.
The Dushegubs withdrew the drill and inspected the quarter inch deep hole they’d managed to make. Branches shook, roots slithered, and they put the drill back in.
“Far enough?” I wondered.
“Yeah,” Sean agreed.
The leading Dushegub turned the drill on. An electric arc splayed out of the hole, hitting the drill dead center. The drill exploded. The miner Dushegub flew back, smoking, and landed on the mud island. The rest of the killer trees chased it and tried to roll it into the water.
Sean smiled.
“People are complicated,” I said.
He leaned over and kissed me. “At least these idiots are easy. Come to bed. We have a big day tomorrow.”
I smiled at him, and we left for our bedroom.
Weekend!
Certified!
Silly Autocorrect!
Frst!
Congratulations RJ!
Thank you so much!
+1 😊
Awesome, this is the closest to the top I’ve ever been
Happy face
What is Caldenia planning!!!
She is easily one of the most interesting characters of the glory, I selfishly want her to stay at Gertrude Hunt forever, but from this installment, I do understand that it must be slow torture living at the inn.
I honestly don’t think she’s bored. I think she’s running a small part of the galaxy from her suite at Gertrude Hunt.
agreed
Hahaha this sounds so true!
Yessssssssss
That would be marvelous if true! And we get to find that out along with Dina and Sean. Hee heee. I am sure that Dina wouldn’t be surprised at all, not after the fun and games with the Dazari (sp?) and the World Eating Flower… after all *how* did she a) just happen to have the antidote and b) even know about / be able to identify the flower?
I’d like to think that is very true.
Will we ever find out how Dina knew George and Jack? She says Sweep in Peace that she recognized them but couldn’t remember how.. and what about Sebastian North and Dina’s parents?
We already know how why she thinks she can remember George and Jack 🙂 – she saw them in Clean Sweep when she took Sean to Baha-Char for the first time:
“To the left and slightly in front of us, two men walked shoulder to shoulder. The first wore leather pants, a white shirt with wide sleeves, and a leather vest over it. A wide leather bracer enclosed his left forearm. His hair, a rare blond shade, almost gold, hung in a ponytail down his back. He moved with a casual aristocratic elegance, perfectly balanced. Watching him, you had a feeling that if the road suddenly became a tightrope, he would just keep on walking without breaking a stride. My father moved like that. I sped up a little. We drew even and I saw a slender sword on his waist. That’s what I thought. An expert swordsman.
I glanced at his face and blinked. He was remarkably handsome.
The man to his left was larger, his shoulders broader, his body emanating contained aggression. He didn’t walk, he stalked, and you could tell by the way he moved that he would be very strong. His auburn hair looked like he’d rolled out of bed, dragged his hand through it, and gone on about his day. He wore dark pants and a black leather jacket that was more doublet than motorcycle. A ragged scar crossed his left cheek and when he turned his head, his eyes shone with yellow. Interesting.
“It’s always work with you,” the russet-haired man said.
“Some of us have to mind the safety of the realm,” the blond said.”
Andrews, Ilona. Clean Sweep, The Innkeeper Chronicles 1. NYLA Publishing, 2013. Kindle Edition, Chapter 14
Yesssss
Woohoo!
At last!!! Happy Friday!
First?
Thank you so much!
Wonderful start to a long weekend
And the Dushegubs want to marry into the Dominion why?
“ Prior to entering the spouse selection, each delegation was required to list a minor and a major ask. If they made it to the finale, the Dominion would honor their minor asks, but only one delegation would ever be granted their major request. It was the grand prize. The whole process provided the Dominion with an opportunity to negotiate some deals they wouldn’t have been able to make otherwise. Some delegations made it to the finale for purely political reasons that had nothing to do with the qualities of their candidate.”
Sweep of the Heart, Chapter 11 https://www.ilona-andrews.com/2022/chapter-11-part-1/
Why wouldn’t they want to marry into power?
First
I love the confidence, however… 😀
I almost feel sorry for the Dushegubs!
Thank you for the chapter!
Niiiiiiiiiiice! The ending of that part was really nice, thank you!
Laurence
So awesome! I want to be Dina when I grow up!
Shouldn’t have read the chapter first! Thank you HA
Wonderful! Plots within plots!
Oh yes, my heart is filled with joy. This is excellent. I laughed, and smiled, so fine.
Oh, to be a fly on the wall with Caldenia and Lady Wexyn. And what are they both planning? Geez the possibilities are endless. And I love the Dushegubs getting their just desserts. So darn fun!! Thanks so much for the great start to the weekend.
I have a theory that Lady Wexyn and her mother have deliberately contrived a feather-witted persona, and that Caldenia either ran afoul of it or watched someone else run afoul. Lady Wexyn is just giving too much of an impression that the light in her eyes is from the hole in the back of her head.
Thank you for the chapter! I will have to wait to get home for my popcorn🍿.
Have a lovely weekend.
Glad to be back at the Inn where skulduggery and mysteries are around every guest.
Wonderful as always. Many thanks.
This was soooo worth the wait. But there’s a fan out there, rotating briskly, waiting to redistribute whatever gets thrown its way.
I do hope that Gertude Hunt is recording that meeting, with or without Dina’s knowledge or permission.
Ooooooh, curiouser and curiouser! Thanks for the continuing intrigue, and have a terrific weekend!
This is going to get interesting with Caldenia and Lady Wexyn.
The plot thickens, I love it
Am I 70th?
31st, you’re moving up in the world 😀 !
Thank you!
Dina is my hero. Watching her handle Caldenia and casually mess with the murder trees’ heads (or whatever they use to think with) while hanging with Sean? So much competence p0rn. I adore watching their partnership.
Happy Birthday to MEEEEEE! (Tomorrow, but close enough.) I got stymied murder tree shenanigans!
Happy birthday!
Early Happy Birthday! <3
Happy birthday 🙂
Love it!
Interesting. Unless he already knew she would be there and planned on exactly how their meeting would go, Kosandion should have had some kind of physical reaction to seeing Caldenia even if it was just surprise (irritation/anger/annoyance/satisfaction/pleasure/calculation/re-calculation).
His lack of ANY physical reaction is a kind of reaction in itself, and indicates a very high level of self control. Though minimal and brief, even Caldenia reacted.
Kosandion did know :). The Dominion were told that Caldenia is a guest at the inn before arrangements started.
” “Are you two sure you have to do this? No other inn on Earth would be willing to host this mess. Especially considering your permanent guest.”
“We are sure,” Sean said.
“The Dominion knows about Caldenia,” I told them. “They don’t see an issue.”
Back in chapter 7 🙂 https://ilona-andrews.com/2022/chapter-7/
Thanks. I forgot that part. Still, impressive self control on his part to be so relaxed. He must have been confident about how she would act (or not act).
He and George both.
Let’s not forget George’s role in this. George always has an ulterior motive.
True, he’s not present at the moment, but there must be a reason he got Gaston involved.
Love the Sean and Dina moments.
Great chapter!
Rude! Trying to drill into Gertrude Hunt. Off with their twigs!
One of them almost burned up if the others didn’t get it into the water in time. Sneaky of Sean and Dina. 😀
+1
Wait…I’ve been refreshing for the past hour and now I get it? I have an intense dislike for my office now. Have an awesome weekend everyone.
It’s because of some sneaky little thing called “cache”.
It’s to reduce Internet traffic. Every ICT department worht their salt, uses it.
Wonderful. A great start to the weekend.
Kosandion knows why Caldenia killed his father and respects her for it and she knew she would be exiled but did it anyway. Possibly. The only complication is chaos wexyn…..to whatever caldenia is planning, which may help Dina and Sean get thru this whole thing
I reserve the right to change my thoughts 😆 as the situation unfolds.
Escape attempt foiled…plans within plans….can’t wait for next Friday already.
This is exactly my thought. On top of that Kosandion’s spouse search is part of Caldenia’s master plan and she doesn’t want Wexyn messing it up. Of course I’m likely 100% wrong. 🤷🏻♀️ I really want to know what news she found during her search.
I think he must know why, too. Perhaps she had a reason for wanting him to become the ruler sooner rather than later?
My thought exactly.Maybe she had a very good reason for killing his father, maybe it was not to be in power, and she just waited til he was of age to take over and that the reason she just left. Maybe it is a family reunion after all… ???
Whatever I trust our beloved authors to surprise us 🙂
A wonderful installment. I know Caldenia wouldn’t be Caldenia without a plan of some sort. But since her thought processes are so alien to mine I’ll just have to enjoy everything as it unfolds.
Even though she’s an evil galactic tyrant I can’t believe that her self-interest would allow her to plot anything that would result in losing her safe haven. No other inn would take her on if she betrayed Dina. Heck, Dina was the only one desperate enough for a guest to take her in the first place.
Totally me bringing my 50% to the text (can you tell what type of mother I have lol), but I read a little love in this interaction:
“I didn’t. Not always, but I had a very good teacher.”
Caldenia glared at me. “Yes, you did. And don’t you forget it.”
I think it wouldn’t be just self interest keeping Caldenia from endangering Dina’s innkeeper status.
Mod R, I totally caught this vibe too! I think Caldenia feels a certain love and pride in seeing Dina react to and manage threats and surprises. While Caldenia’s instinctive reaction is to be PO’d when Dina does not just automatically give her anything she wants, deep down she is also very protective of Dina. I don’t think she would do anything to hurt Dina or the inn. But as my daughter will happily tell you, I’ve been wrong before! 😁
+1!
Love their relationship.
The audacity! 🤨
I’m gonna use that the next time someone irritates me 😊
Tree villains, so hilarious. Are they mean to birds who land on them? Like the Whomping Willow? let the birds build nests and then knock the nests off and laugh?
I don’t even think they’d get to make the nests! 😀
“They are calculating, homicidal, moving trees that feed on animal life. They know that other creatures have emotions and what those emotions are, and they don’t care. Their first option is murder, their second option is murder, and if that fails, they go straight to murder.”
From Chapter 6 part 2, Dushegub Intro https://ilona-andrews.com/2022/chapter-6-part-2-2/
For some reason I had this thought: the Dushegubs are the anti-Ents (this is in reference to the Lord of the Rings series). 😀
Their motto “Everything makes good fertilizer. “
Rofl! Very good!
Wen Spencer has walking black willows in the Pittsburgh elvenhome books that are something like Dushegubs. The black willows are simple ambush predators though, not sapients.
Start with Tinker. The books are very fun!
Bummed that Harbinger ended on a cliffhanger.
Ohhhh! I love it. 🙂
SHENANIGANS.
I can’t wait! 😊😊
The Dushegub are my favourites. Killer trees. I love them….
I should have realized a long time ago that Cladenia did not come to Gertrude Hunt to retire. She needed a safe place to finish what she started.
Caldenia has for me been the character you like but feel bad for liking – consumer of sentient beings, poisoner, someone who boils a being alive to find a jewel / flash drive. Was all of that in service to a greater good? Sean’s insight to Kosandion’s physical reaction suggests “yes”.
This Innkeeper serial has passed the point where I’m not just waiting for the next bit of honey to drop, I’m eager to see the story unfold.
Thanks for another entertaining installment after a difficult distraction. This week, I reread the Innkeeper Chronicles. I had forgotten how interesting Dina is, as my fixation is Helen! But the end of Sweep of the Blade, finally presented Klaus. So new obsession…. Have a quiet week
From the sounds of this, Caldenia was the sovereign and then killed her brother which led to her fall…
Also it sounds like she has plans in place for the future. If i am reading into this wrong she also has weapons or people with weapons in place that allow her to be able to blow up a planet.
Wow, going for a reread.
O_O
I assumed her brother was the sovereign, but maybe he was the Holy Ecclesiarch??
Thank you
Love it!
❤
Fridays are the best!
I love the dushegubs. The whole scene to me was playing in my head like a really good heist comedy – home alone style.
Oh that would be hilarious. A young Dina home alone fights off humans who know nothing about Innkeepers and their inns and can’t figure out how they landed on another planet. Or she fights aliens who reserved a room at the inn but then try to take advantage when Dina is alone and tries to steal items from the inn.
Oh, I so want a short-story of Dina’s version of “Home Alone”.
+1
+1!
Would be better if Dina had to shop in Baha Char with her sister leaving Helen with Sean. Then Sean steps out thinking Dina took Helen with her. And Helen is home alone. Not an innkeeper, but she and Gertrude Hunt get along. Shenanigans galore!
+99. Young Helen, Home Alone at the Inn.
Let us please see the ripper cushions of that!
Yes!
I was thinking minions for some reason lol
Thanks
Ooh, yet more plot twists.
Could Caldenia have murdered her brother for very good reason? Maybe he was evil inside and his son knew it. Maybe even the whole galactic tyrant thing is at least partly a show?
I wonder… if the Seven Star Dominion has 9 systems, how many star systems are in the 6 Star Supremacy? Maybe 9 also?
Which did Caldenia rule?
He. He. He. He.
The audacity! 🤣🤣🤣
Thank you, thank you, thank you! Hope you have a great and enjoyable weekend. thank you, thank you, thank you. I needed this.
D’awww that was very sweet! And I enjoyed that they watched the struggle and talked through more important things they had on their mind. I’m worried about what this ‘plan’ is. And Sean’s thinking makes me ponder if Caldenia is actually helping the Sovereign.
Glad Kitty is okay.
Happy Friday, BDH! Thank you, Authors!
I was having a hard time getting into this story. This last installment was great. I like the intrigue around Caledenia.
Is your cat ok?
Yes, the cat is fine and out of the woods 😀 https://www.ilona-andrews.com/2022/meow-meow-is-okay/
❤
So happy right now.
Thank you!
April, next time use an April date as your name…so it reads “April 29, 2022 says”. This could work for otger names like May and June.
That was nice and twisty with a bit of fun thrown in at the end. This made me smile.
“Her Grace, joy personified.”
Still laughing!!!
Fantastic chapters!! I really needed this today. Thank you!!
Thank you for the incredible gift of this ❤️ Will read again later. Have already read 4 times. Waiting to go in for endoscopy, so this diversion is especially welcome ❤️❤️❤️
Thank you!
Fabulous storytelling! I’m hooked…. What if Caldenia didn’t do it? Kosandlin could have been devious enough to kill his father and throw the blame to his aunt… it kills two birds with one stone… clear his path to the throne and garner a ton of instant sympathy… Caldenia would have to run because the collective empathy would have turned on her but she would also respect her nephews deviousness…. Just a theory….
Ooh. I like this angle
Very interesting theory- totally possible
Interesting lesson on the Dominion political lifestyle. I’m looking forward to seeing just what Caldenia and Kosandion are really up too.
Thank you!!
300th!!! 😂
So very much fun!!! Love the pit of murderous trees.
Shennanigans indeed. That’s one planet to avoid, I think.
Can’t wait to find out what Caldenia and Lady Wexyn spoke about. Also curious about the non-reaction of the sovereign to Caldenia. Of course, ones supposes her whereabouts were not exactly a secret…. Hmmm.
The Dominion were made aware that Caldenia was a guest at the inn as part of the preliminaries :). It was not a surprise to Kosandion.
“Are you two sure you have to do this? No other inn on Earth would be willing to host this mess. Especially considering your permanent guest.”
“We are sure,” Sean said.
“The Dominion knows about Caldenia,” I told them. “They don’t see an issue.”
Back in chapter 7 🙂 https://ilona-andrews.com/2022/chapter-7/
Whoops!!! He did know she was there…but still!
I cannot wait for this book to be published! The Innkeeper series has been one of my favorite series after a friend recommended Ilona Andrews. While I enjoy all of other storytelling this series just captures my imagination at takes me to those places. Thanks for the weekly sneak peek!
Fantastic, I sat here grinning stupidly at my phone.
Thank you for a brilliant start to my weekend 😁
Thank you! Hope you have a restful weekend.
Now, I wonder if Caldernia killed her brother to protect her nephew.
My thought exactly. 👍👍👍👍👍👍
Ooooh! I hadn’t thought of that!
I had that thought, too.
And the plot thickens! Very enjoyable! Thank you!
My initial thought whenever I see or use the word “shenanigans”.
Mac: Hey Farva what’s the name of that restaurant you like with all the goofy shit on the walls and the mozzarella sticks?
Farva: You mean Shenanigans?
Mac: OOOOOOOOOOOOOO.
Thorny: OOOOOOOOOOOOOO. [as they hand the Captain their pistols]
So many good pieces to this chapter. Loved it! Also, is this actually the full chapter? It seemed a bit longer than usual.
Thank you for the Friday highlight!
House Andrews probably gave us extra since last week life got in the way of the Innkeeper chapter 🙂 .
The book is still being written and will go through edits at the end, so the current demarcations between Chapters are not set in stone.
Wow, how very unlike Caldenia to be so blunt! She must be so upset.
Team Wexlyn for the win!
Kosandion is involved, part of Caldenia’s long game… or aware of it, at the least.
I love that there’s a super good chance that the storyline will dig deep into Caldenia’s character.
I do worry about Wilmos, though. Most patient kidnapper ever.
It has only been 5 days in book time 🙂
I hear you, but five days seems a long time to keep someone with Wilmos’s skills subdued, even on an inhospitable planet. Too much risk he’d be injured or die (or, more likely, kill the kidnapper) & no payout.
Maybe the timelines don’t sinc
Maybe he (and others?) are in stasis, so the kidnapper doesn’t need to be concerned with their reaction.
Stasis, okay, neutralized the threat. Perfect strategy. But how can the kidnapper trust that eventually Dina & Sean will come after Wilmos? Do they have a spy at Gertrude Hunt to let them know what’s going on? If you kidnapped someone, would you wait over 5 days to hear anything?
Unless, of course, Caldenia orchestrated the kidnapping. Wouldn’t that be jumping the shark.
I’m just really stuck on this plot point. Hazard of a serialized novel, I guess.
Hmmm, I probably wouldn’t wait 5 days, no.
Provided I didn’t take my victim to a famously impossible to reach corner of the Universe, where flying a ship is unlikely and most beings wouldn’t survive a landing. A place which requires, at minimum, space travel, which can take a while. And provided my trap didn’t hinge on getting my prey exactly where I wanted them. Because a trap is only useful if someone walks into it.
In that particular case, I would probably learn to be a patient predator.
Oh wait…🤪
For some reason I wonder what the Dushgubs wants are. Also the other wants. I wonder which group really wants to be a parent and how much of a parent they would be allowed to be. Will the ruler need to be faithful or can he have “friends” on the side. Will there only be one child or can there be more. So many logistical questions. Do they use replicators to get the kid or is it actual body use. So many structural questions that can really make a difference. So different from the Lord of the Mountain. I wonder how many other old friends will turn. Still worry about Wilmos and that situation with the sick Ad Hals
I know they like to mix DNA. How it’s done?
Probably an immersion blender although maybe a stand mixer if it’s a big batch. I’m thinking Kitchen Aid.
+1
Vitamix blender could do the work in small batches. Definitely Kitchen Aid if a huge batch is needed. 🤣
This is certainly a circuitous way to get Willis back. I can’t wait to see how that all ties together. Thanks for the delightful beginning to the weekend. 😊
We already know how it ties together and it appears distinctly un-circuitous to me 🙂
The Dominion owns the only safe way of reaching Karron, where Wilmos is being kept prisoner. In exchange for the event being hosted at the inn, the Sovereign will provide Dina and Sean with safe passage. It’s all covered in Chapter 6 https://www.ilona-andrews.com/2022/chapter-6-part-1/
It could be way more circuitous. I was just reminiscing with someone about the M*A*S*H episode where they wanted to get something for someone, but the person who had it wanted something that person B had, who in turn wanted something person C had, who in turn… I think they did 5 or 6 deals in the end in order to get the first thing they wanted.
Isn’t Radar’s Teddy Bear included within those deals somewhere?
Hmmm… who in Innkeeper has a teddy bear that might be the secret weapon to releasing Wilmos (or at least, choosing the spouse!)
There was a teddy bear (Kukalaka) involved in the DS9 episode as well 🧸
A homage perhaps
Just like the Star Trek DS9 episode ‘In the Cards’
All the deals for a mint condition 1951 Willie Mays rookie baseball card ⚾️
The Caldenia tidbits are juicy!!
Lady Wexin (that will always be DinDonDan 🔔 for me!) confirms her very interesting status.
We need to spy in on that conversation!
Love the sweet moments between our dearest Innkeepers 🥰
Thank you HA for another great chapter 💫
So interesting answers questions thoughts so much information. It’s great. I love Sean and Dina. thank you.
I hope the pet emergency resolved with all pets and owners recovered and in good health.
Indeed 🙂
Danger is gone and everyone is ok (plus we got an extra treat) https://www.ilona-andrews.com/2022/meow-meow-is-okay/
Now kid 2 needs an additional kitten. Meow Meow & Danger!
I suggest Meow Meow & Call-the-Vet! Oopsie also works.
Things are getting good! Thanks to House Andrews.
Another great chapter! I always wondered why Caldenia murdered her brother…maybe we learn more about it later in the book? Thinking back to previous books, she always has a good read on people and her plotting has protected the inn and guests.
Thank you for all of your wonderful writing. It has been a stressful few weeks for completely unimportant and random reasons and to sit here and read today’s chapter and to get completely lost in my favorite world for just a few minutes was so nice.
Intrigued! 🎡
Drat! Missed being 47th post again.
Another great chapter!
I thought I read that Dina had to kill one of the Dushegubs. Has that happened off camera? Is that last scene in this chapter show the death of a Dushegub? Does the killing have to be public or does it only have to be witnessed by the other Dushegubs?
You haven’t missed it, we must read on and see 🙂
I forgot about that. I thought they had to do it right off. Maybe we just saw it happen.
Ok, I totally don’t remember that!! I guess I’ll have to do a re-read.
Hey Ronda,
There is nothing to remember 🙂, a Dushegub has not yet been killed, unless the incident in today’s chapter results in accidental death. Because no one said it had to be done straight away- all we know is:
“They are banned as a species from the inns. I will have to apply for a special permission to host them and if we get it, we are going to have to kill one as an example.”
From Chapter 6 part 2 https://www.ilona-andrews.com/2022/chapter-6-part-2-2/
Ah, I thought I remembered something about “right away”, but I guess not.
I just realized… 200 yards deep basement is deep. So Gertrude Hunt’s boundary grows out *and* down?
Plot thickening! Oh it’s so tense and fun!
Also the latest Graphic Audio audition was great.
Thank you! I love the stories within the story. I almost forget that they are doing this just so they can go after Wilmos.
Hope everyone has a great weekend
Caldenia says “Then this will be quicker and simpler. If you interfere with my plans, I will kill every creature within your little Temple and explode the planet on which it perches.”
And Lady Wexyn responds “Oh my goodness!”
Now if I had ever been in a bar fight — which, of course, I never have! — I would recognize this exchange as meaning that Lady Wexyn is not particularly intimidated by Caldenia, and further hinting that Lady Wexyn regards Caldenia as not exactly being in her league when it comes to dispensing violence. I don’t think she’s bluffing.
I think Sean would have recognized what he was seeing if he had been present, but Dina is a bit in awe of Caldenia (maybe even more than “a bit”) and seems to have missed it.
Or not. The story has a ways to go, and Dina has depths.
Was Gordon an EM? He might have seen similar exchanges between people in NCO clubs, albeit without threats to eliminate whole planets.
Thank you for this lovely chapter.
That was amazing. Thank you
Fascinating chapter! Am I really the first to wonder about Lady Wexyn´s mother – someone who apparently knew Caldenia very well?
Also, who and where is Kosandion´s mother? We know his father is dead, but his mother hasn´t even been mentioned. I´d guess she´s dead too because otherwise she´d be involved in this kind of spectacle, wouldn´t she?
So, crazy theory: Lady Wexyn´s mother also was Kosandion´s mother. Kosandion´s father killed her, Caldenia killed him in revenge and now she is trying to make sure Lady Wexyn doesn´t intend to harm Kosandion (in case Lady Wexyn blames Kosandion for her mother´s death).
I love that quiet moment between Dina and Sean! Is that Thor cartoon real?
🙂 Happy to report this will not be an intergalactic incest story.
It’s unlikely that Kosandion and Lady Wexyn are siblings, and there is something we know about K’s mother:
” Her skin was the deepest indigo, her eyes were black, and her glossy dark hair, braided into a complex arrangement, rode on her head like a crown. An Uma, same as Kosandion’s mother.
Seeing an Uma outside their world was extremely rare.
The Uma had been discovered a thousand years ago by Earth’s time by one of the slimier Galactic nations. The newcomers arrived bearing gifts and sweet promises, and it took almost twenty years before the Uma realized they were not being helped, they were being colonized. The invaders severely underestimated the Uma spirit. In less than a century, they were purged from the planet, and the Uma shut their doors to most of Galactic visitors. The lucky few who had been invited told a story of a beautiful world populated by fierce people.
From Chapter 11 here https://www.ilona-andrews.com/2022/chapter-11-part-2/
Nothing in Lady Wexyn’s description gives an indication she would be part Uma :). She is 5′ even, white and lusciously plumpy. Kosandion is 6’5, blue-black and lean. Whilst there is genetic differentiation between siblings, it’s rarely quite THAT much.
Secondly, yes, the Thor cartoon is real, Ultimate Avengers 8 : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sg0XJgw0rAQ&ab_channel=Spiral
Ah well, it was a nice theory. At least it makes a lovely bonfire as it burns! I forgot the Uma bit, though I remember loving their description. And with the gene splicing around to the extent of combining genes of very different species, appearances can be highly deceptive. Thanks for the clarification!
And maybe the BDH broke youtube – it tells me the video is not available.
It’s most likely country copyright 🙂. You have the title so you can search for a different version that is unlocked where you are.
I was really surprised he only caught on fire. Lol! I’m looking forward to their comeuppance. Place evil laugh here.
I am enjoying this story!
Love the fun stuff they get up to 🙂
I wonder what it would be like to be an Innkeeper or their kid and be born with aphantasia, I feel like they might struggle with it but it could also be a super cool underdog style story
Heehee ☺️
When I try to think like Caldenia my head hurts.
Thank you. Great snippet. I wish you an enjoyable weekend and a quite week. Hugs😊
Would it be just so awful if Caldenia was not evil? Maybe her brother did something awful that would have betrayed the country and in order to save the Dominion and minimize the pain it calls on the citizens. She set herself up to be the evil tyrant that took him out and paved the way to create a legacy where her family i.e her brother’s son becomes the ruler. If he knew about Dad’s very bad behavior and that auntie took the hit to protect the family honor and protect the interstellar country, then he wouldn’t have been upset when he saw her
That was my thought. It would definitely be a twist. This is House Andrews: you *never* know where they are going with something.
Just thinking about the titles they have ‘She who controls fate’; ‘He who is immune to fate’ – could the ‘fate’ be the collective empathy of the Dominion?
Maybe Kosandian (apologies if I’ve spelt that wrong but autocorrect keeps changing it!) isn’t a part of the collective empathy and/or does have to abide by it, whereas Caldenia is able to influence it more than the normal person (we do know she likes to plot and manipulate)?
So although we have been told several times she has no altruistic bones in her body – maybe she manipulated the collective empathy into making them think it was a terrible thing, when actually it was a good thing, simply because she didn’t want to rule? Maybe Caldenia prefers to manipulate as the power behind the throne, rather than the one on it?
Awesome!!! Thank you!!!
I went a solid month with no new COVID patients in my ICU… alas. I needed this this friday. Im hiding on my break to read it.
Thank you for all you do.
If it’s any consolation, I was a new COVID patient this week. First time with the plague! Though never got ill enough for outside medical attention. Wishing you rest and a chance to daydream.
Thank you!!!
So. Much. Fun! I love that you always surprise me. Too often I can see where a story or series is going. It’s not tough — some writers often telegraph this either consciously for the reader or unconsciously. But you guys? You guys go through one door and the next moment you are climbing up from a bottomless basement or dangling off a cable from an interstellar anti-gravity copter. You guys rule.
I left work and sat in my car to read the chapter. Then I had to read the comments. Now I head home where I will read it all again. It keeps getting better and better.
Lovely, lovely, lovely. I’m already looking forward to Chapter 13.
Thank you and TGIF!
Thank you for a great start to the weekend. hope ya’ll get some rest
Fascinating. And fun; thank you!
Each segment leaves me wanting more. Thank you. Glad Camille is well and thankful for the info on the antifreeze in snow globes.
It just keeps getting better and better! Thank you!!
BTW, I’m Team Lady Wexyn – anyone else? 😁
Hell no! I think she wants to marry Kosandisn and murder him so she can take over the Dominium. I mean, isn’t it totally obvious from the sex-kittenish behavior? I totally hear her talking in one of those grown-woman baby voices.
Hit it on the head! Looking dumb but underneath is whip smart, scheming evil bitch…maybe a trained assassin??
Oh I totally think she’s playing everyone but also think Kosandian will need someone like her.
Will continue to enjoy as the plot unfolds… 😈
These posts just make me so happy. That is all. 🙂
Does anyone else visualize Lady Wexyn as a young Dolly Parton? I can totally hear and see her tearing into that role back in the day.
I’m thinking more like Mae West and the type of characters she played.
California has plans, of course, but to whose benefit? Kosandion is probably equally conniving and also has plans. He knew Caldenia was at the inn … Surely not a coincidence that he is choosing his spouse with her present? Did he maneuver Dina into hosting by arranging for Wilmos to he kidnapped? Where did Caldenia rule … Maybe the sister 6 Star Supremacy? Who rules it now? Did she have succession plans to continue the family dynasty when she went into exile? And of course, Lady Wexyn, who is not at all intimidated by Caldenia, also has plans. What is her alignment? What was her mother’s history with Caldenia? Love the inter-generational intrigue and all the possibilities. Looking forward to being surprised by House Andrews!
Most of these questions are answered in the chapters so far 🙂
God how I devour you work 😆
“Do you remember that cartoon we watched where Thor is an environmentalist?”
“The one where he kept having peaceful protests until he was provoked?’”
^ Is this a real cartoon? What is it, if so?
Yes, it’s Ultimate Avengers 8 🙂 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sg0XJgw0rAQ&ab_channel=Spiral
Yay, thank you!!
Awesome!!! I love all the names of the various aliens in Innkeeper.
Thank you. Such an interesting chapter!
Caldenia, like Hugh did, has motives that are not currently obvious.
There is no way to consider her sweet, but I’ve never thought she was “evil”, though “ruthless” is a good descriptor. Some of her “crueler” attitudes could be simply for shock value.
I’m looking forward to finding out more.
Oh – and thanks for the Three Stooges as portrayed by trees… Oy!
The Stooges were known for slapSTICK humor.
(Let the puns commence.)
good thing to know that they have to STICK to their LIMBitations
OUCH! Brilliant!
Thank You
Always and in all ways, worth the wait :)! Thank you.
This story has brought me so much joy in the middle of grueling work week. (I was sneaky and saved from reading until I could binge a longer stretch 🙂 ). Thank You Thank You Thank You
What you do is an amazing gift.
Caldenia scrutinized Lady Wexyn, who sipped her tea and fluttered her eyelashes.
“You look like your mother. Has she spoken of me?”
“Yes, Letere Olivione. At length.” Lady Wexyn nodded, her expression earnest and devoid of any subtlety.
“Then this will be quicker and simpler. If you interfere with my plans, I will kill every creature within your little Temple and explode the planet on which it perches.”
Ha! This tells me that Caldenia is not at the Inn by chance. What is her Plan? Is her Nephew in on the Plan?
Sage, have you read the previous Innkeeper novels? You can find them all here, Sweep of the Heart is the 5th book in the series https://ilona-andrews.com/innkeeper-chronicles-books/#clean
Caldenia is at the Inn because she required sanctuary from the assassins and bounty hunters on her heels, and Dina was the only one who was desperate enough for guests to offer it.
I think I am up to speed, but, somewhere I have missed Caldenia’s backstory. She’s vicious, ruthless, she eats Funyuns, drinks MelloYello. She’s in exile, for some reason she’s killed her powerful brother. She has sharp, pointy teeth. She’s a spiffy dresser in long flowy fabrics. She has deep $ pockets. She tolerates the routine and boredom of a quiet inn in small town Texas but likes the energy of other guests. She admires and respects Orro. I am not sure why she says to Dina, “How could you?” I don’t know what that feeling of betrayal refers to, or why she has this oblivion plan. Is there a reason she cannot leave the inn (besides her teeth)? The jig’s up now that everyone now knows where she lives, right?
There is at least one big contract out for Caldenia’s assassination, it was a plot point in both Sweep in Peace and One Fell Sweep. When she arrived at the Inn several years back, she did so with a horde of assassins and bounty hunters on her heels.
Dina was the only innkeeper desperate enough for guests to accept her, and as an innkeeper is all powerful whilst on the boundary of their own inn, Caldenia has safe sanctuary if she doesn’t leave it. It’s not that people don’t know where she is, after all this isn’t the first major event Dina hosts, it’s that inns are imenetrable shelters when it comes to safekeeping their guests. This is all covered in the previous Innkeeper books here https://ilona-andrews.com/innkeeper-chronicles-books/#clean
I’m sorry, where does Caldenia say “How could you?” to Dina? I will try to clarify, but I cannot find it 🙂
So, so good!
One question’s been troubling me though : Where is Officer Marais?
He is so devoted to his duty that he would have checked / cleared regulations, and made arrangements to be away from home / his family, in short order. Is he working for Dine and Sean and patrolling outside the Inn?
Thank you for posting this. Long crappy week and this was the perfect treat to read with a cup of mint tea and a mango strudel.
A wonderful Story. Thank you
Why do I feel like the Dushegubs would fit in nicely in a Bugs Bunny cartoon? (And yes, this is meant to be a huge compliment to HA!) Love it! 😂
I was thinking Roadrunner. I can just imagine them scheming with
Wile E. Coyote 🤪 😂
Coffee, banana bread, and an Innkeeper chapter. Marvelous, thanks!
What a nice juicy installment! The Dushegubs had me laughing with their antics, ha ha. Reminds me of when I babysit my brother’s one-year-old twins 😉
It is very ambitious to have so many diverse and complex characters in one story. I can’t wait for the book – it’s so intriguing. I love the rich and imaginative descriptions of Lady Wexyn, her clothes, her habitat and demeanor. What wonderful writing! Lovely! I’m so looking forward to more.
Well worth the wait.
I do love your sense of humor and how you are able keep us guessing so much.
Your stories are so engrossing that I had not even stopped to consider why Her Grace had needed to seek sanctuary until this book.
Also, thanks for recommending the Graphic Audiobook site. They do an excellent job portraying the Innkeeper books.
Dushegubs…the Wile E. Coyotes of the Innkeeper world!
I love it. A comfortable loving trust can be seen between Dina and Sean. Caldenia’s story is evolving and it’s amazing. I can’t possibly express how much I love every word that is written. 🤟
My favorite series. I am so excited to learn more about Caldenia and her circumstances. For all of Lady Wexyn’s obvious charms, I find myself more intrigued by the grumpy Uma. Also, I wish we could get a Klaus/Arbitrator book! What shenanigans might he have been up to in addition to recruiting George and crew? Does he know about his friend Michael being corrupted? 🥹🧐
Thank you! thank you! so much you wonderful storytellers. Now I look forward to opening my email and literally jump for joy when there is a new episode.
I think this every time and figured I should actually let you know how wonderful this gift is.
Ahhh, just the joy I needed during this whirlwind weekend after a long week.
So in this chapter we learned Caldania isn’t so much retired as on sabbatical or between careers (else why would she have plans?) and that Kossandion is…interesting (I’m torn between psychopath, patsy, and murderer).
But for some reason the most significant line in this chapter was where Caldenia asked “Do we have that kind of relationship?” and Dina responded, “that’s up to you, Your Grace.”
Caldenia has been living at the Inn for years now. Yet, she still sees Dina as lesser.
So I guess Caldenia is….interesting as well.
I always though Caldenia was powerful enough to not need to stay at an earth Inn. This woman has the resources and wiles needed to run a difficult nation. The only way she would give that up would be to retire to a smaller nation and build it to a large nation.
She must be terribly bored at Gurtrude Hunt!
“Thought” not “though” sigh
Hi Sage,
It is repeatedly marked in the text of the books that Caldenia stays at the inn for her safety and that she must not leave the boundaries 🙂.
There is at least one huge contract out on her head, she arrives at the inn with a horde of bounty hunters on her trail, and attempts on her life have been a plot point in previous books.
thankyou for this. as always I am sending positive thoughts and the unshakable good vibes of your biggest fan
Thank you,
These are interesting times we live in.
I so love this series. I’ve Reread it in order many times. I’ve always felt Her Grace had her hands in everything in the galaxy but had a safe place to live and plot She seems to always know everything and could immediately hand over life saving injections something you wouldn’t expect.
Thank you so much for putting this out here for us to read. It has been such a welcome break from the world’s events and personally from worrying and caring for an ill parent while away from home. I do enjoy reading about what happens next.
1. I’m loving the story.
2. I’m ecstatic we’re finally seeing Caldenia’s back story.
3. …where’s Marais?
Just gets better and better
Oh HA you are so awesome. These people are so real in my imaginings. This is so entertaining. Thx.
Finally caught up. Hope your kitty is doing better. Caldinia just became more mysterious. I wonder what prompted her to murder her brother, because although she projects an air of danger, you can see hints of a deeper heart. Also, I’m imagining some distant ancestral proto inn evolving over time to become the organic entity it currently is and if it developed its symbiotic nature or if somewhere in their evolutionary past, innkeepers have a genetic link to the proto in ancestor that branched off and evolved to be able to mate with other species? Of course, I’m assuming not all innkeepers come from Earth but that some decided to make Earth home and mixed with the population. I also wonder about the Demille Bloodline because inns or not, they seem pretty powerful individually and magically talented. Not to mention, inn or no inn, it has to be rather impressive that Dina was able not only to neutralize corruption, but either completely annihilated it or banished it to some void like place or other. If destroyed, that hints to me a possibility of primal power within her Bloodline. I wonder if the Anachrocy manages to discover anything about it? If the ad-hals are the protectors who carry out justice but are vulnerable to the corruption, what guardian can protect the protectors? Last thought, I could totally see the Demille Bloodline being the ‘alpha strain” of innkeepers. How close are they to finding and possibly rescuing Dinah’s parents?
Thank you
Hi Carol,
Innkeepers are just humans from Earth 🙂 , there is no “alpha strain Innkeeper bloodline” or “Innkeeper magic”. All humans have some form of magic and some forge the link to an Inn or a seed.
In reference to the previous comment, sorry, I was typing on my tablet which I hate doing but did anyway. Apologies. I forgot to add, in my excitement, I absolutely love this story and can’t wait to buy it as an ebook (and audio and graphic audio someday) thank you for such a wonderful story world to read about.
One part I sort of didn’t quite type correctly was about my theory about a ‘proto inn’ evolving over time and eventually developing an ability to symbiotically link with an innkeeper (of any species) or if innkeepers are another branch of that ‘proto plant entity’ that eventually evolved into the first innkeepers and then eventually developed a genetic makeup that allowed them to mix with other species? I suppose that could make innkeepers, in part, part plant and not fully human. It’s something to wonder about anyway.
I wonder if there are innkeepers out there that are part vampires or any of the other predatory species?
On that previous thought, I wonder if there will be inns that evolve not to be inns, but a separate species of the organic building entity made strictly for neutral meeting places for sensitive needs, or perhaps more sanctuaries for endangered species that need protection that perhaps an inn cannot always provide? That could be interesting.
Anyway, again, I love this story and can’t wait to see what happens next.
Thank you!
Oops, just saw your above comment. Sorry. *lol* Was typing before I saw that
Two thoughts- BDH conspiracy theories- one, caldenia is really his mother and he was adopted by her brother, or two, she detested her brother but loved her nephew and saved him from an abusive dad by nixing her brother so her nephew could inherit. But wait! He does he know, or doesn’t he?!? Cue ominous music! So telenovela!
I am unable to hold hard cover books. Do I just not fill it out your Kickstarter form. I have several medical issues that don’t allow me to hold anything but an e reader. I’ve backed Kickstarters before and now but they are offering e books ?
Hi Deborah,
I’m sorry to hear about your hands.
You can still fill out the poll and signal that you are not interested in the print versions 🙂
Loved this fun update. I think you need popcorn to watch the Dushegubs while they get up to mischief. That was quite the warning from Caldenia…what is she up to? Thanks for the sneak peaks. I love the Innkeeper series.
This is just driving me crazy! I love all your books and the Innkeeper series is a definite favourite. I’m a traditionalist so I have them in paper, in fact I have all your books in paper, and they don’t get traded. Mine!
I love getting snippets. I look forward to them, and I enjoy watching the story unfold slowly.
I also hate not being able to sit up late reading the book in one session so I can find out what happens *right now.* I really, really want to know what Kosandion and Caledonia are up to, and whether they are working together, separately, in parallel, or at cross purposes.
A reader’s dilemma!