Alyssa knew from the moment her fire affinity was discovered, she would spend a lifetime fighting. The Filigree family were Victory nobles. Instead of riding the achievements of their long dead ancestors, each generation was expected to cultivate themselves and contribute to the ultimate goal of conquering the Bleak Peaks.
As her father’s third daughter, she at least had a choice in what way she would give herself. She could marry one of the knights, popping out new soldiers for the c...
2022-04-11 21:41:44 +0000 UTC
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An hour later, a curtain has been hung over the hole in our bedroom, my wife has gained what limited control over her body Bell’s bindings will allow, and Geneva is carrying a tray laden down with our dinner, tail swinging.
I groggily raise my head and slip out of the bed, wandering over to my chef. I lift the lid off a large bowl and the enticing smell of a rich stew enters my nose. The plate beside it has several rolls, the bread a crispy golden brown and smelling of butter.
...
2022-04-08 21:35:02 +0000 UTC
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The entire house is gathered as I carry Kierra through the front door. My young steward is unflappable, holding his curious sister by the shoulders to prevent her from going outside. Gajin is standing by the window, staring out at the devastated garden with a crestfallen expression. Nomad is propped up against a wall, head nodding as he fights sleep.
They all look up at the sound of my footsteps. “Milady…” Gajin says, the man sounding close to tears. I wince. Both because of the p...
2022-04-08 21:35:01 +0000 UTC
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Elegant fingers latch around my ankle and pull, sliding me over the cool sheets and underneath her. I make a futile attempt to pull my leg free before reaching for her hand. She lets me grab her before wrapping her opposite arm around me, turning us around until I’m trapped on my stomach. I immediately brace myself on my palms and push up with all my strength, throwing her off, and scramble over our covers to put my back to the headboard. “This again?” I half-whine as she rolls back ont...
2022-04-06 20:44:28 +0000 UTC
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“Lou.”
My wife’s voice calls out to me from the doorway of my rarely used study where I have been sitting for the past several hours. It can’t be helped. This mystery group of summoners is driving me crazy.
While I was fairly confident in my conclusions earlier, after some time to think, I realized that I was making serious leaps in logic based on what I know. I’m assuming that this group is going to summon a drakkon just because I see drakkon on a list but there are a h...
2022-04-04 20:34:39 +0000 UTC
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To my beloved niece,
I hope this letter finds you well as it has been some time since we’ve spoken. I suppose life must be busy in the Hall. Learn well. While our family’s legacy lies in summoning, there are times when a fireball is required. When oafs simply refuse to see reason.
I don’t know if you have heard but the crown is preparing a new decree. One that denounces summoners and would make it illegal to contract certain elementals. There are talks ...
2022-04-04 20:34:38 +0000 UTC
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Kierra half climbs over me to see the paper better. “Aggro?”
“That’s the common name.” I take a deep breath. “Truthfully, you’re not supposed to say its true name. It hasn’t been proven but most summoners think that it has some way of knowing when someone speaks it and can find you.”
“Are you scared, Lou?”
“No, but I don’t blame anyone who is. This is nothing like my unreasonable aversion to royalty. If you don’t know what you’re dealing with, A...
2022-04-01 22:58:41 +0000 UTC
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Cosmo bless that thrall. Junior was right. Reading his letter makes me want to sprint to Summer Spire and bludgeon him over the head with a gravestone inscribed with “Here lies Gordon Mason, proud reclaimer of the Mason name and complete ass”.
For someone describing himself as my minion, he is unhelpful to the extreme. You could have burned your letter after writing it and that could have been your release. He wanted me to read it and get angry. Angry enough to act? Even if...
2022-04-01 22:58:40 +0000 UTC
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Hey boss.
This is your unwilling minion writing you. I wonder if you’ve forgotten about me, seeing as you haven’t bothered to contact me after your tyrannical takeover of my house. My feelings aren’t hurt. I’d be happy if you never darkened my doorstep again. Or summoned me to random places in the middle of the night. Or levy unreasonable demands against me and my whole family.
Fen has just reminded me that I need to stay on topic.
In c...
2022-03-30 21:18:00 +0000 UTC
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Greetings and well wishes, Lady Tome.
I hope your initiate year has proved fruitful and have full confidence that you will pass the ensuing qualifiers. I, and the kingdom, greatly anticipate what you will contribute as a summoner, a caster, and an esteemed noble.
It is a little crass to go into my personal affairs but I must in order to get to the reason for this correspondence.
I have been given the honor to serve as an advisor to the king aft...
2022-03-28 17:44:52 +0000 UTC
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I step out of my carriage with a deep sigh, feeling more tired than any day throughout my short time as an initiate. The weight of dread is heavier than the usual exhaustion after Kierra’s ‘love’. I anticipate a shitstorm of epic proportions and perhaps an equivalent amount of bloodshed.
There is a good chance I’m going to kill Arthur and killing him means I might have to kill William when he comes to the pig’s defense. Then maybe I’ll need to silence Marthe as a witness.
2022-03-28 17:44:46 +0000 UTC
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“So, let me get this.”
I try not to flinch as the pig points a breaded piece of fish at me, flinging sauce. “You’re married to this supposedly hot, rich, elf princess who bought you one of the Hall’s estates, pays for your time at the Hall, and she lets you sleep with other women whenever you want?”
“There are several points in that statement that I would argue with and are flat-out wrong but…basically.” I’m not going to stress the mongrel’s...
2022-03-25 19:31:16 +0000 UTC
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I, along with the rest of the room, turn as a woman bursts from the kitchen. She’s wearing dark pants and a sleeveless shirt. An apron is tied around her neck, the once pristine white stained in multiple places. Curly, light brown hair peppered with gray is tied up with a white cloth, a few strands falling into her face. Her high cheekbones and hawkish nose make her look like a bird of prey swooping down on us.
That and the knife in her hand.
Arthur’s enthusiasm wilts, his eye...
2022-03-25 19:31:13 +0000 UTC
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“If you’re done,” Alana says dryly.
“Who’s this? Girlfriend?”
“I wish.”
“Teammate,” Alana snaps. “His and hers,” she says gesturing to Marthe and William. Why am I not being mentioned? “And we’re here to meet out potential fifth, if everyone remembers.”
Erin leans toward me and ‘whispers’ behind her hand, “Is she always this grumpy?”
“Only around pretty women,” I ‘whisper’ back, grinning at Alana’s deepening frown.<...
2022-03-23 15:18:59 +0000 UTC
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Marthe lets out another round of complaints being asked to go so far out of her way, but I quell her anger by assuring everyone I’ll handle transportation. I send Geneva back to the house to grab the carriage while we all walk to the Gold Dorm for an early lunch. Marthe refuses, vehemently, to enter the opulent building, which means I have to carry the food out to her. The looks that garners, from the staff and rich acolytes both, is reason enough to do it. Gave me a good laugh.
Once ...
2022-03-04 22:38:13 +0000 UTC
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“Don’t call me that,” Marthe snaps.
“My apologies for any offense. At home, it is proper to address those without a surname by any titles they may have earned from their peers. It’s a sign of respect.”
Which brings me to my question. “Marthe the Inferno?” I ask, lips pressed together to hold back a laugh.
She scoffs. “Stupid name a bunch of idiots gave me. Nothing respectable about it.”
“A title earned from her many victories on the dueli...
2022-03-04 22:38:11 +0000 UTC
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They both give me incredulous looks.
“If we’re going to be teammates, you should start believing in me. It’s not that hard, girls.” I quickly scan the crowd, combining my impressive vision and hearing. I’m not simply searching for those who are alone. I want the people who are alone and dejected, those who are desperate. They may not be the most skilled but they’ll certainly be eager.
What’s that? I’m targeting and potentially exploiting vulnerable targets? Please....
2022-03-04 22:38:09 +0000 UTC
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“What do you know?” Abel shouts. “Ignore them. If they want to take this test lightly, let them. The reason I’m not standing in front of the whole crowd is to keep away idiots like you who don’t take the Hall seriously. You can take your disapproval and condescension somewhere else. We have important matters to discuss.”
“Perhaps you would like to share these important matters with the assistant instructors,” Alana counters. “They are here to help us. I’m su...
2022-03-04 22:38:08 +0000 UTC
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“Ah, those two.” I assume she’s referring to two more of Alana’s hallmates, Michael and Gabriel. The younger brother Michael, barely more than a boy, is the talented one. Talented enough to be sponsored by the Hall. Due to his age, they allowed his brother Gabriel, his only living relative to accompany him, the two sharing a room and an allowance between them.
I have no idea why my friend is keen to recruit the boys. Obviously, anyone the Hall has taken an interest in must be sk...
2022-03-02 19:54:17 +0000 UTC
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Marthe is standing before two young men who seem to be trying to convince her to join their team. It’s been quite a while since I’ve seen Alana’s hallmates and first friends at the Hall, as I’ve convinced her to enjoy the perks of my friendship in the Gold Dorm for most of our meals.
The redhead has changed. Her auburn hair has been cut short, criminally if she were a noble, slightly longer in the front in a way that would frame her face in a flattering manner if not for her con...
2022-02-28 23:26:07 +0000 UTC
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Once again, the initiates are gathered outside the Caster Hall, centered around three large signs with identical messages while chattering amongst each other. I stand at the back but I have no problem reading, more to do with the excessively large font they’ve used. A bird could read them from the cloud.
QUALIFIER RULES: DEMONSTRATION
Initiates, for the final part of your evaluation, you will demonstrate your proficiency in spellcrafting and spell use. This year...
2022-02-28 23:26:04 +0000 UTC
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“Be nice, hm? No hissing when she tries to look at those cute little feet.”
“Coo.” The dejected dip of her head makes me smile. [The dog is a brute. She wants to pull me apart to see what’s on the inside.]
Ha! That sounds like Cloud, alright. “That’s no way to talk about a friend, pet. Besides, she only wants to play with you a little.”
[She will not be able to handle the kind of play she wants.]
“Not that I can tell her different.” Sensible is not ...
2022-02-28 23:26:02 +0000 UTC
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Despite our late night, I still find myself waking early. This body doesn’t need much sleep to function, heh. I carefully untangle myself from my wife’s arms that unconsciously fight to keep me close and ease out of bed. Bell comes scampering into the room as I stretch, quickly opening the blinds before appearing at my feet, a glass of water in her tail. “Coo~” Good morning, Master Lou.]
“Hey, Bell.” I take the water from her. Bending down, my eyes catch sight of them invita...
2022-02-28 23:25:59 +0000 UTC
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[Time to wake up, mperkreig.]
As it had for nearly every night since he was employed by Lady Tome, a voice penetrated his pleasant dreams, dragging him to consciousness. Earl raised his head from his pillow, another luxury he wouldn’t have dreamed of mere months before, to find his mentor standing in the doorway of his room. Pink irises practically glowed in the gloom, her white teeth gleaming in a smile a touch too wide.
Carefully, he lifted his arm off a sleeping Anna...
2022-02-28 23:25:55 +0000 UTC
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Earl barely remembered the early years of his childhood. He could recall vague memories of his parents; his father’s broad back as he left early every morning, his mother’s kind but tired smile as she looked at him between making breakfast.
They lived in a small home in a big city, the capital. Too small a home for three, and eventually four, people. He remembered walking to the market, his small hand tightly held by his mother, and wondering why they had to squeeze their lives into...
2022-02-28 23:25:50 +0000 UTC
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“Never mind that for now.” I squirm away from her hand, silently cluing her in that I still want to talk. She grins and cups my sex, but stops the teasing, thank the saints. “Who’s the letter from?”
She glances to the piece of paper on the ground. “My mother.”
“Really?” One of the many plans I have for the free months before officially becoming an acolyte involves a visit to my elven in-laws. At least, we’ve been toying with the idea. It has its own complicatio...
2022-02-25 23:08:54 +0000 UTC
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I rise from the bath. Before I reach the door, perfectly controlled flames dry me off. I snatch a robe from a hook next to the door, tying the sash sloppily as I cross the bedroom to the balcony.
Kierra is seated, a wineglass in one hand and an unfurled letter in the other. I’m used to seeing her in leathers, her preferred armor, but with the recent end of her teaching obligations for the year, she’s been lazing about the house wearing scandalously little. Like now, flashing the wor...
2022-02-25 23:08:51 +0000 UTC
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Alana sees me most of the way home, turning around at the end of the street but not before giving me one last concerned glance. We lapsed into silence during the walk but she didn’t have to talk for me to know she was still worried about our conversation. I don’t know what bothers her more; the decree, the fact that the king made the decree, or what I’m going to do about it. Wondering if I will follow through on my vague threats. Wondering if I will leave to escape the crown’s sanctio...
2022-02-23 23:12:41 +0000 UTC
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“Lou?” she asks in obvious confusion as I rub her back. As much as the situation annoys me, angers me, and disgusts me, it doesn’t surprise me. However, my righteous knight seems thoroughly confused by the concept that someone would use their power to royally screw over an entire group of people and that it can actually happen. Another reason to intervene, as it will be a very rude awakening for her not if, but when, it does.
Poor saint. I equally admire and despise the w...
2022-02-23 23:12:38 +0000 UTC
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“Hey, you waited.”
I turn as Alana exits the Caster Hall, the blonde wearing a cheerful, cocky smile. It dims as she takes in my own expression, turning into her usual serious frown in scant seconds. She rushes forward, grabbing my arm. "What happened?" she asks, blue eyes hard as steel as she asks for a target on which to unleash her well-meaning concern.
It does a bit to ease my foul mood. Grabbing her hand with my own, I pull her away from the building with its constant str...
2022-02-23 23:12:36 +0000 UTC
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