A leader or appointed representative from each noble house is present as theKing arrives in the main hall, accompanied by his chief herald, the Crown Prince, Spackle the Fool, and Lord Gavin Vasille the captain-at-arms. Lots are quickly drawn for the seating of the noble houses, with Lord Stagg and the Lord Rian Kassof drawing the choice places to ( Read more... )

The servant nearly knocked Prince Tor over as he burst from the King's chambers ( Read more... )

It was still very early, and Milena had just finished her morning walk. Currently, she was in the courtyard, enjoying the scenery, and waiting for other people to be up and aound ( Read more... )

Picorna lay on a cot in the infirmary, paralyzed by the pain and the drugs as the doctors looked down on her. At the periphery of her vision, she could see the thin knife sticking out of her chest, quivering back and forth ever so slightly as she gulped in tiny breaths of air. They were arguing, not about how to treat her, but about what she had ( Read more... )

Brother Brilke emerged from the surgery area to report to the First Sister ( Read more... )

Duncan crouched by the edge of a low rooftop, motioning for Harsfeld to stay low. Duncan moved closer and crouched next to his companion, speaking in the faintest of whispers ( Read more... )

The day's excitement more than made up for the fact that Aster had been two young to attend the King's Ball. She'd already helped Spackle and Emily to smuggle that man out of the palace, and now she was to have her first fencing lesson. Emily hadn;t arrived yet, and Aster didn't know whether she and Spackle had been successful. She'd wanted to go ( Read more... )

Kelden was not happy about what must be done. Given his choice, he would still be in bed, holding something cold to his head. Not due to a hangover - he had drunk his share, of course, but one did not remain long in the service of Lord Stagg if given to overindulgence ( Read more... )

It had been a long night of spending his good fortune, and the sun was up when Duncan Malone headed back to the Queen's Arms Inn. He'd spent a good deal of money buying drinks for old friends and a few old enemies, but he'd been careful to consume in moderation himself. He knew from experience the dangers faced by a man who throws money around and ( Read more... )

Court is basically the means by which the people of Ferstaal gain access to the King for the setting of disputes, for diplomatic embassies, and for certain ceremonies ( Read more... )