MeiLin Miranda's Blog en-US Fri, 18 Dec 2009 09:35:49 -0800 60 MeiLin Miranda's Blog 144 41 http://www.goodreads.com/images/layout/gr_logo_144.jpg /author/show/2731702.MeiLin_Miranda/blog/131262-the-ferret-s-points-story-is-live-three-princesses-finnia-part-one Fri, 18 Dec 2009 09:35:49 -0800 <![CDATA[The Ferret's points story is live: Three Princesses: Finnia, part one]]> /author/show/2731702.MeiLin_Miranda/blog/131262-the-ferret-s-points-story-is-live-three-princesses-finnia-part-one
When he seemed sure he was alone, Connin snagged a pottery jug cooling in the nearby creek; Finna had to crane to see what he was doing. To her surprise, he didn’t go back into the camp, but laid himself out in the clearing near her tree, lying in the dappled sun on a bed of grass with a cushion under his head. He took a swig from the small jug, let out a long, contented sigh, and then did the last thing she ever expected. He unfastened his leggings, and took out his cock.

She knew that’s what it was, because she had six brothers. When the younger ones had still been small, they had all played together naked in a dammed-up bit of the creek that ran closer to the Keep. She’d never seen a grown man’s before.

Once she got over her initial shock, she leaned forward, wondering what on earth he was about; as she watched, he pulled at it, again and again, until it stuck straight out. I had no idea they did that, she thought. She’d always wondered how it all went; her mother had told her somewhat how it went, and that she shouldn’t have anything to do with it until she was married or else she wouldn’t pass her Sister’s Temple examination, and that when the time came she wouldn’t find it unpleasant, and that in the end she’d have a baby from it. She reflected that her mother had twelve babies, so she must have liked it at least that much.

Connin gave it a long, easy stroke, playing with the loose skin around its tip, and groaned--almost a growl. The tip was quite red. “You’d have an easier time looking at it, Princess, if you’d just come down from that tree,” he said. “I’ll let you look your fill. You can even touch it if you’d like.”

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posted by MeiLin Miranda on December, 18 ]]> /author/show/2731702.MeiLin_Miranda/blog/84037-willow-s-points-story-is-live-two-brothers Sun, 20 Dec 2009 18:17:25 -0800 <![CDATA[Willow's Points Story Is Live: Two Brothers]]> /author/show/2731702.MeiLin_Miranda/blog/84037-willow-s-points-story-is-live-two-brothers Willow’s story: I've been wondering about Brinnid a lot and his formative years. I would like a story from his childhood, preferably an interaction with his mother. This is what came out. I know it's short and raises more questions than it answers, but this is the best ending for it for now.

Cordeneen, Sairland, 968 KY


“I told you to stay away from the old cistern!” said Queen Arricta. She scrubbed algae from her young son’s ears, harder than she needed to.

“I’m sorry, Mama!” wailed Brinnid.

“You know no one goes down there! You could have drowned! If your brother hadn’t been with you, you would have! And you!” she said, turning on Bannig. “You’re the elder, you should know better!”

“I didn’t fall in,” grumbled Bannig.


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posted by MeiLin Miranda on December, 20 ]]> /author/show/2731702.MeiLin_Miranda/blog/81110-katie-s-points-story-is-live Wed, 09 Dec 2009 03:31:28 -0800 <![CDATA[Katie's Points Story Is Live]]> /author/show/2731702.MeiLin_Miranda/blog/81110-katie-s-points-story-is-live A Settling of Accounts:

Mistress Polls slept lightly; there were always threats to guard against--for instance, the Strange Gentleman who’d appeared from nowhere, lit her study on fire, and stolen the Obby children. That handsome Traveler, Mr Connin, warned her against the Gentleman’s return. On his last visit, Mr Connin came with a handful of golds and an apology for his behavior of the spoke previous. “I’d hate for you to harbor ill will toward me but really, Mistress Maleen, I did nothing more than pinch a few bottoms and steal a few kisses.”

“Pinches or kisses or fucking, Mr Connin, they’re stolen unless they’re paid for. Dashing into my house and rummaging through it is most unappreciated. But since you’ve made good with me,” she smiled, putting the coins in her pocket, “I forgive you. There have been Connins patronizing this House since its founding, and I should hate for our families to part on such bad terms.”

“Indeed, my father and my grandfather always spoke of how much they appreciated your hospitality, especially toward Travelers,” he grinned.

“I shall speak frankly, dear Mr Connin. Gold always buys hospitality, for Duke or Traveler--and at a Temple as much as a brothel,” said Maleen, patting the sofa beside her.

Mr Connin shook his head. “I fear I cannot stay. I came only to seek your forgiveness, and warn you. You face a serious foe.”

“Really,” laughed Maleen. “And who would that be?”

“Were you not visited not long after my little indiscretion by a certain person dressed in black?”

“The child-lover?” said Maleen. “How did you know about him?”

“Ah, Travelers learn many things in our wanderings. Watch out for the--the ‘child-lover,’ as you say, but I can say with fair certainty that’s not why the twins were taken. You will be visited again, and this time with violence.”

posted by MeiLin Miranda on December, 09 ]]> /author/show/2731702.MeiLin_Miranda/blog/79155-northwoodsman-davik-s-points-story-is-live Tue, 17 Nov 2009 01:46:21 -0800 <![CDATA[Northwoodsman/Davik's points story is live]]> /author/show/2731702.MeiLin_Miranda/blog/79155-northwoodsman-davik-s-points-story-is-live [Note: I'm on hiatus, but I'll be continuing to post points stories on Tuesdays, with another points story on Saturday if the goal is met. Thursdays are devoted to a re-print of my waaay old Dr Who fanfic, "Valiant." Why not. Who's it gonna hurt.]

The Cavalry's Pride:

Patrin’s batman came in with hot water for them both. Washed and dressed, Patrin shaved the gold stubble off his chin as Jenks blew on his first cup of coffee. “I’ll never understand why you keep clean-shaven,” said Jenks. “It’s a chore.”

Patrin paused, straight razor in hand. “I find it a good example for the rank-and-file. It shows I take care of myself every day, as they must if they are to be of use to the King’s Army.”

“You talk about them as if they’d never washed a day in their lives.”

“Have you seen some of the pikesmen?” said Patrin.

“Point taken.”

“It’s also for the cavalry’s pride, you know,” said Patrin, folding his razor. “And the cavalry’s pride--”

“--is the pride of the nation,” Jenks finished with him. He frowned at his cup and added a second spoonful of sugar. “Yes. The pride of the nation is very important to me.”

Patrin sat down. “Jenks, I know this has not been an easy transition for you. I wish with all my heart it hadn’t happened like this.”

Jenks shook his head. “It was bound to. I looked far, far above my station.” He grimaced. “Forgive me for speaking so plainly.”

posted by MeiLin Miranda on November, 17 ]]> /author/show/2731702.MeiLin_Miranda/blog/73746-chapter-37-book-3-is-live-and-book-3-is-finished Wed, 23 Dec 2009 07:19:09 -0800 <![CDATA[Chapter 37 book 3 is live--and book 3 is finished!]]> /author/show/2731702.MeiLin_Miranda/blog/73746-chapter-37-book-3-is-live-and-book-3-is-finished What It Means to Be King:

He called for Jenks, to no reply; it was late, and he’d probably gotten sick of waiting, thought Temmin. The windows were open. The music had begun again, no longer merry but slow and wistful--the last dance. The faint tune blended with the song of the crickets as it flickered in and out of hearing.

Temmin stretched. He took off his coat and laid it over the back of the green velvet couch. Tomorrow was an official day off from his work at the Temple, but he hadn’t been back since Nerr’s Day. His accepted excuse was the Queen’s illness. But in truth, he couldn’t face his duties, or Issak. Issak is not Nerr, he reminded himself; even at a distance it was easy to see when Issak was himself or when the God had taken him. Even so. He unbuttoned his waistcoat, pulled his shirttails out, and shambled into his oddly dark bedchamber.

He caught a toe on a chair leg, and cursed as he stumbled. The lamps were irritatingly low; how could anyone see anything, let alone the furniture? He turned up the lamp on the console table. Off came his pocket watch and waistcoat. His cufflinks were following when a soft sigh from his bed startled him. The bed’s curtains were drawn, another oddity that raised the hair on his forearms. This is ridiculous, why am I afraid of my own bed? He stepped up and gingerly pushed a curtain aside.

On his bed lay a faint, slight figure, sound asleep.

posted by MeiLin Miranda on December, 23 ]]> /author/show/2731702.MeiLin_Miranda/blog/69255-chapter-36-book-3-is-live Mon, 21 Dec 2009 09:51:57 -0800 <![CDATA[Chapter 36 book 3 is live]]> /author/show/2731702.MeiLin_Miranda/blog/69255-chapter-36-book-3-is-live
Wedding Rings for a Wedding Night:

He looked up at the freshly-tonsured Father behind the lectern, calmly paging through the Law. Was he old enough to be a Father? What if they found out years later they weren’t really married? What then! He wouldn’t have that shame on Arta for the world.

Worry got the better of him. “Excuse me,” said Fen, “how long have you been a Father?”

“I beg your pardon?” said the Father--down his nose, Fen thought. Then again, the Father was quite tall.

“You’re not a Postulant still, is all I’m wondering.”

The Father raised his eyebrows. “And what makes you think the Temple of Pagg would send a Postulant to perform a wedding?”

“I don’t know!” said Fen. “You’re just a little--young.”

“I assure you I am a Father. I admit it’s recent, but I am a Father.”

“How many weddings have you performed, Father...?”

“Father Nino. Actually,” said the Father, “this is my first.”

Wonderful, thought Fen. “You do know the right words and everything, don’t you?”

“Strangely,” said Father Nino, “they’re written down in this enormous book in front of me. Are you having second thoughts about this?”

posted by MeiLin Miranda on December, 21 ]]> /author/show/2731702.MeiLin_Miranda/blog/54260-chapter-32-book-3-is-live Tue, 22 Dec 2009 18:38:58 -0800 <![CDATA[Chapter 32 book 3 is live]]> /author/show/2731702.MeiLin_Miranda/blog/54260-chapter-32-book-3-is-live Trying Not to Think:

“It’s Palgday, isn’t it? See if they hold market day here, Bear, and go fetch us some treats! Fruit pastes for me and barley sugars for thee, eh? Here’s a silver, sweetheart, off with thee!” When he was gone, Rose lay down on the bed and let the honest tears flow. She’d held them back for so long--not the tears of a tantrum, but soul tears, from deep inside, tears she had refused to shed since she was a girl. The tears filled her eyes and slid down her cheeks onto her neck, leaving wide, wet trails. So much had happened to her since she’d left Deneen, and even more since she’d left the Harritson plantation. She’d tried to make the best of it--more than the best of it, she’d tried to make herself independent of any man, a noblewoman of her own making! And she’d done it! She had been Lady Callant! And now the former Lady Callant was lying on a straw ticking in the best room of the only inn of a village so tiny it wasn’t even on a map.

Lady Callant. Domma Rose Herrada. Mistress Lisset Townes. Mistress Lisset Bakerson. Miss Lisset Rosedale. Lisset, Lisset, Lisset.

When Bear returned from market day, he found his mistress on the bed, still dressed, her face turned away from the window and her eyes unseeing. Bear put aside the sweets he’d gotten, closed the window, drew the shades, called in a serving maid to help Missy undress, and settled down to wait.

posted by MeiLin Miranda on December, 22 ]]> /author/show/2731702.MeiLin_Miranda/blog/53858-greenglass-s-points-story-is-live Sat, 19 Dec 2009 08:44:50 -0800 <![CDATA[GreenGlass's points story is live]]> /author/show/2731702.MeiLin_Miranda/blog/53858-greenglass-s-points-story-is-live A Lesson:

“Hm?” said Ansella. The lesson. It had been something about Venna’s brothers, the treacherous rapist Eddin, the violent rapist Farr, and the lecherous rapist Nerr. At least she thought that’s what it was about. She never really listened to lessons or sermons anyway; she preferred service and offerings. But it was so warm and pleasant under the tree. Ansella didn’t pay much attention to the words, bobbing gently up and down on the rhythmic cadence of Ibbit’s strong, sure voice instead, a voice that eased her doubts about Ibbit’s interpretation of scripture. “No, Sister,” Ansella sighed in contentment. “I understand.”

“You understand enough, darling,” smiled Ibbit. She stood up from the bench surrounding the tree and reached down to Ansella on the ground. “Come. Walk with me.” She took Ansella’s arm and tucked it firmly in her own, leading her down the dappled paths away from the great house. “You’ve come so far in your understanding, Ansella. I’m very proud of you,” said Ibbit.

Ansella turned a face open with pleasure up to her taller companion. “Really? I sometimes wonder if I fully grasp what you’re telling me.”

Ibbit surreptitiously looked around them. They were standing in the orchard, the low branches of the pear trees shielding them from sight. “Annie, don’t worry about that,” she murmured. Ansella felt Ibbit’s strong arms encircle her, healer’s hands working at her nape until she loosened and opened completely.

posted by MeiLin Miranda on December, 19 ]]> /author/show/2731702.MeiLin_Miranda/blog/53857-chapter-31-book-3-is-live Fri, 18 Dec 2009 16:35:12 -0800 <![CDATA[Chapter 31 book 3 is live]]> /author/show/2731702.MeiLin_Miranda/blog/53857-chapter-31-book-3-is-live Duty:

Today Brinnid would sail with the tide. He had finished his last business at the consulate, and, though absent Stewn’s careful watch, his trunks were aboard. He now waited impatiently in the downstairs receiving room for the gig to take him from the consulate to the docks.

Brinnid reached into his vest pocket for his watch, but he checked himself, moved to a pocket closer to his heart, and drew out a small case instead. He tripped its latch, and gazed at the portrait of Sedra inside. Once he put down the rebellion, he told the little painting, he would order a new royal yacht, and he’d name it the Queen Sedra. That was a grand gesture Sedra the woman would appreciate.

He closed the case. In its silver reflection, he saw a movement behind him and turned, expecting the consul.

The man by the doors was not the consul. In fact, judging by his dress, he was not anyone of any note at all. “Shall I call you Your Majesty, or ‘Lieutenant Murren’?” said the man in Traveler’s clothes.

posted by MeiLin Miranda on December, 18 ]]> /author/show/2731702.MeiLin_Miranda/blog/51823-chapter-30-book-3-is-live Sat, 14 Nov 2009 06:46:55 -0800 <![CDATA[Chapter 30 book 3 is live]]> /author/show/2731702.MeiLin_Miranda/blog/51823-chapter-30-book-3-is-live
Two Prophecies, Fulfilled:

“She’s gotten worse the last day or two,” said the lady-in-waiting. Over Ansella’s protests, Donnis told him of the headaches, the weakness, the vomiting, the lack of appetite. “But she won’t let me call the Sisters! I’ve given her until this evening, and then I’m calling them whether she likes it or not,” she finished.

“I’m not giving her five minutes,” said Temmin grimly. “We’re calling them now, and there’s an end to it. Papa will be furious when he finds out you’re ill and haven’t gotten help, Mama!”

“Your father doesn’t care a whit,” said Ansella, a little color coming into her wan cheeks. “If he did, he would have enquired.”

“He thinks you’re having a sulk. Everyone does!”

“And don’t I deserve one!” she said, her old temper breaking through her lethargy.

“About Lady Callant--” Temmin began.

“Don’t bring her up, Temmy,” warned Lady Donnis.

“Lady Callant can have him!” shouted Ansella, rising off the pillows and then sinking back, shaking, and paler than before.

“Mama!” said Temmin. “Right. Donnis, I’m sorry to order you about--”

But Lady Donnis was already on her way to the sitting room. “Hanston, off you go. Find the nearest footman and have him fetch the Sisters. Be quick about it!”

“Finally!” said Miss Hanston as she picked up her skirts and dashed out of the room.

Lady Donnis ran back into the bedchamber to the sound of breaking glass. Ansella was panting, doubled over in Temmin’s arms; pieces of a drinking glass lay in a puddle of water on the floor. “I tried to give her some water--I’m sorry, I dropped the glass--I had to catch her--” Ansella cried out and clutched at Temmin’s shoulders. “Cousin Donnie, what’s wrong!” Temmin said.

Donnis rushed to the right of the bed to hold Ansella on the other side. “She might be miscarrying,” she said. “There, Annie, let go of Temmy, I have you!” she soothed as she felt another spasm shake the Queen.

“Don’t tell him! Don’t tell him!” Ansella wept as Donnis rocked her.

“Tell who what, Mama?” said Temmin. He stood up and barely missed treading on the broken shards of glass. “Miscarriage? What?”

posted by MeiLin Miranda on November, 14 ]]>