The Children

Emmeline lay awake in the dark of night before the coming dawn. She knew it was very late and tonight something was happening to her that had never happened before. Was it her continuing closeness to a Fey Lady that made her so hyper-aware of life right now? But it was more than that.

The warm, comforting body of her Baron lay beside her as she stared up at the ceiling. She could feel his dreams thriving, moving, changing just under the skin of mortality. She thought that if she turned toward him, she might fall into that dream like a youngling leaping from its nest for the first time. Her heart fluttered and she almost gasped aloud when he turned over. Continue reading “The Children”

Dreams of the Future

It was a quiet night in the Port of Derrien where Emmeline was staying. Her visit for the day was complete and tomorrow she could spend some of her free time looking for the supplies Zoe had recommended she collect for her own health. Tonight she’d sung only a few quiet songs and treated the patrons to instrumental strains of music on her viol. She’d turned in early, having managed to earn a small room she shared with Renee.

She was becoming well known enough in Uzec and even Derrien now, especially at this inn, that the Keeper balked somewhat at having her work for a room. He’d told her he could simply put it on account and ask Baron d’Uzec to pick up the tab later, but Emmeline wouldn’t have it. She wanted to earn her own way if she could. Continue reading “Dreams of the Future”

Twin Destinies

Emmeline lay awake in the dark of night before the coming dawn. She knew it was very late and tonight something was happening to her that had never happened before. Was it her continuing closeness to a Fey Lady that made her so hyper-aware of life right now? But it was more than that.

The warm, comforting body of her Baron lay beside her as she stared up at the ceiling. She could feel his dreams thriving, moving, changing just under the skin of mortality. She thought that if she turned toward him, she might fall into that dream like a youngling leaping from its nest for the first time. Her heart fluttered and she almost gasped aloud when he turned over. Continue reading “Twin Destinies”

Strigoi

A strigoi is a very specific kind of necromancer who not only is capable of controlling the undead, but is capable of feeding upon the living.

The word, “strigoi” is rooted in the Romanian words “to scream” and is often used in reference to a kind of immortal vampire. For this reason, it very much applies here.

No one knows for certain how a strigoi comes to be, although it is thought possible for one strigoi to cause the birth of a new strigoi on purpose. In addition, it is possible a strigoi could be created due to a curse, by a corrupted pregnancy, or some other method but a strigoi is so rare almost nothing is known of them. Continue reading “Strigoi”

Derrien Purchases

As Emmeline, Typhon, and Renée approached Derrien, a familiar messenger on horseback rode up to them. “Witch de Cerisey, Justicar de Snowmoria, and Mademoiselle du Triel, I bring you a message from the Magus Alix, Wizard’s Tribune of the North,” announced the redcap Giselle Aubrey-Alix.

Emmeline looked at her friends in mild surprise, then nodded to Giselle to continue.
Continue reading “Derrien Purchases”

Message for the Herald

Emmeline and friends had ridden hard to Primel and the horses needed rest. And realistically, so did they. They had a long way to go yet to Derrien and it wouldn’t be any easier.

Her friends had been good enough to stick with her on the ride home — at least for a while. She appreciated that since no one else seemed willing to give Carlotta a second chance at life.

She was disappointed they refused to help give her that. It seemed to her that if the enemy was weak and small, like that goblin, they’d be fine giving the evil creature a second chance. Not so for Carlotta, even if the price for the second chance was execution. Clearly there was some kind of line that Typhon and Elemix drew as to who was worthy of forgiveness and who was not.
Continue reading “Message for the Herald”

A Night of the Waiting Terror

The swamp drake had disgorged a noxious fume that brought all caught within down low. It flew by and sounds could be heard of it moving far into the woods but not attacking. Everyone had moved into the cave. Marc and Gilles, the surviving soldiers, along with anyone else who had volunteered, threw the ogres on pyre and lit it up to destroy the bodies and begin removing the smell of their already turning flesh. Sergeant-Ensign Aeryn, after she had recovered a bit buried the third soldier whom the ogres had nearly completed eating. She placed his personal effects in a box.

Everyone spent most of the hour resting as much as they could. Renée every once in awhile went out and scouted, coming back having heard a creature out there, but not seeing it. After an hour, as the sun began to set, she said, “if it is out there, it is waiting for us to make a move.” Continue reading “A Night of the Waiting Terror”

At the Vale

Emmeline, after some thought, decided to go to the Vale alone on a night that kept the Baron busy with court business. She told him what she wanted to do, and of course he pointed out it was too dangerous to do that alone when hags were about and likely waiting for an opportunity to grab her. However, Emmeline told him she would never touch the ground between the secure walls of the castle and the arms of the Mother Tree; she would shift into a sharp-eyed owl for this journey, spend the night, and return at dawn or when her work was done, as a raven. She could only do this alone. Continue reading “At the Vale”

Aftermath – Nemesis or Friend

Patrols led by Captain du Triel, his daughter and others had departed to reconnoiter what happened to the goblins and their allies. Silverleaf had went north, and Sir Etienne named provisional commander of the Calder Keep. In that time Elemix, Emmeline and Tiffanie had returned with Rivanon to Uzec along with three goblin prisoners the Lady had chosen to bring with. Upon arriving, Sister Tiffanie made her way to the Temple to find her wife. Continue reading “Aftermath – Nemesis or Friend”