Just before dawn, the raiders close in on the village and Pirate's Swoop, expecting to tighten their net and catch the Tortallans unaware. Instead they invade an empty village and face the castle's closed gates. On the wall, warriors and villagers alike stare down at them, fully armed ( Read more... )

At night, after the trainees not on watch had crawled into bed, George's study became a congregation spot for the likes of the queen, the baron, the mage, the officers and even the Lioness's husband, each seeking the solace of company ( Read more... )

( Beach camp, three days out of Corus. )

Ten tiny fingers ( Read more... )

The keep is dark when Thayet leads her horse into the courtyard. The party ended hours ago. Most of the Earl of Hafdon's guests will be abed. Servants will be waiting, of course, but she'll avoid them whenever possible. Tomorrow is soon enough to listen to their tuts of disapproval. She managed to undress herself before she was Queen; she'll ( Read more... )

Not long after Midwinter, the air turned bitingly cold. Word is a great frost settled in the north, and has yet to lift.

At least the royal apartments are kept warm, Thayet thinks, kissing her son's forehead. Still, she tightens the sash on her thick robe before she slips out, leaving him to his dreams. Warm and clean and perfectly cozy.Trailing ( Read more... )

Word spreads quickly through the city ( Read more... )

I'm getting married tomorrow.No matter how many times she thinks it, Thayet can't quite believe this is really happening. A large court wedding, something she had tried to avoid, has now become something with the power to make her smile as if somebody had just handed her her fondest wish ( Read more... )

The evening meal had been a trying affair. Two nobles from neighboring holdings near the coast had gotten into an argument over a stretch of land, their tempers fueled by wine. Thayet attempted to mediate, her mind wandering back to a time when she had believed herself free of court intrigues. She smiled, she placated, and she smiled some more ( Read more... )