As the party walked among the dead, Ivy searched every face. Fear, resolution, determination. They never had a chance and they knew it. The Blight had only to touch them to kill them, yet Lord Norin's warriors went knowingly to their deaths to buy Ivy and her companions time. "If only we had been quicker." Ivy couldn't help thinking. When Ivy ( Read more... )

The sixth month passed with Rou cloistered with Mrra Goldentail, his philosophy master, while Ivy went in search of Blue-Feather. I will give more detail later when I have the time to write it properly. (I was rather disappointed with the quality of my last entry.) Suffice it to say that Rou has gained a new understanding of his abilities and ( Read more... )

It was a quiet walk back to P’Rruu. Each was absorbed in weighty contemplations. They were within two miles of the city when Ivy asked “Have you ever gone to human lands by yourself ( Read more... )

“Good morning, My Lady.” Ivy called with all of the diplomacy she could muster. -It does not do to offend a sphinx.- “Won’t you join us for breakfast ( Read more... )

(Some of the following entry is paraphrased from e-mails that Walker and I exchanged concerning the adventures of Rou and Ivy ( Read more... )

Sir's debriefing with Morin had not been much better than Ivy's. He also felt he had not acquitted himself as well as he would have liked. But having more experience than Ivy, he wasn't so demoralized by it. When the villain had taken him from Ivy's belt, he was drained and dropped - wrong flavor ( Read more... )

Lady Katherine reminded her goddaughter to leave before the unmasking at midnight as she escorted her to the waiting coach. Then she was on her way. She was nervous, and thrilled at her own daring. As she approached the palace it glittered in the moonlight. It had been lit up with thousands of torches and inside, crystal chandeliers sent prisms ( Read more... )

And what a busy social season it turned out to be. Elaine was beginning to receive invitations of her own. They were delivered to Lady Katherine who then gave them to Elaine. If they happened to coincide with her stepfamily’s engagements, she accepted. She would help them with their hair then hurry off to Lady Katherine’s where Holly would help ( Read more... )

I left some mighty big gaps in the story, so let’s go back and fill them in ( Read more... )

Well...when I started this dissertation, I hadn't intended to write a new version, but I get carried away. Surely you must have noticed how the article changed flavor as it progressed. I have a hard time sticking to the point which is that our heroine had to take control of her own life and make a conscious effort to not only escape from the ( Read more... )