David Gowey's Blog, page 3

Interlude

On the second night, Jarun warmed his hands with a cup of the strongest tea the palace kitchens could devise. He stood opposite a polished brass mirror in his quarters, examining the smoothed wrinkles in his uniform tunic, and caught a glimpse of his eyes ringed in dark circles. A low groan escaped him. The … Continue reading "Interlude"

Chapter Eleven: The Revelers, or Bliss

Often I have wondered which was the most important decision of my life. Where was the fulcrum upon which my fortunes turned? Was it choosing to go to my love in Yusanai? Choosing to march west with Lord Leopold? Or perhaps even farther still. What if I had not fled from my father in anger … Continue reading "Chapter Eleven: The Revelers, or Bliss"

Chapter Twenty-Three: The Revelers, or Bliss

Often I have wondered which was the most important decision of my life. Where was the fulcrum upon which my fortunes turned? Was it choosing to go to my love in Yusanai? Choosing to march west with Lord Leopold? Or perhaps even farther still. What if I had not fled from my father in anger … Continue reading "Chapter Twenty-Three: The Revelers, or Bliss"

The Emissary: Chapter Five

The wooden theater erected before in the square before Saint Felip’s Cathedral was of crude make, but befitting its rustic setting. Carin wondered how long it would be until this place saw such a monument as Arman’s dreams of the fine stone theaters of Vau and Ponterae, much less the grandest such edifices of Taruschkan. … Continue reading "The Emissary: Chapter Five"

Chapter Twenty-Five: The Companion, or Duty

By word and deed both stableboy and lord shall sow the seeds of reck’ning and reward. – Words of the Emperor in Qepperdan, Matthieu Sartonné, as narrated to his page, Jarun Hichame At first, it angered him that old Maeli would turn down the last of this month’s coppers from Varakuma. How many chickens could … Continue reading "Chapter Twenty-Five: The Companion, or Duty"

Chapter Ten: The Servant, or Doubt

Memory is the sweetest and subtlest poison of all. – Words of the Emperor in Qepperdan, Matthieu Sartonné, as narrated to his page, Jarun Hichame The scant light which slipped through the curtains was pale and cold, as if the sun was but some distant, fragile thing. Dawn must have been near but not so … Continue reading "Chapter Ten: The Servant, or Doubt"

Chapter Twenty-Two: The Servant, or Doubt

Memory is the sweetest and subtlest poison of all. – Words of the Emperor in Qepperdan, Matthieu Sartonné, as narrated to his page, Jarun Hichame The scant light which slipped through the curtains was pale and cold, as if the sun was but some distant, fragile thing. Dawn must have been near but not so … Continue reading "Chapter Twenty-Two: The Servant, or Doubt"

The Emissary: Chapter Four

Nothing too grand, Arman thought ruefully as he worked his way back from whence he’d come earlier and would come once again after he completed this errand. Just a grandstand. The word Governor Rothae had used to describe Lord Carin was peculiar; so far, it seemed to fit. Some first duty this was to be, … Continue reading "The Emissary: Chapter Four"

Chapter Nine: The Translator, or Doubt

The most pernicious lie the devils ever told was in convincing the man of God that he could reasonably better his own station in the work. – Words of the Emperor in Qepperdan, Matthieu Sartonné, as narrated to his page, Jarun Hichame The afternoon of the new governor-general’s arrival in Varakuma should have been festive. … Continue reading "Chapter Nine: The Translator, or Doubt"

Chapter Twenty-One: The Translator, or Doubt

The most pernicious lie the devils ever told was in convincing the man of God that he could reasonably better his own station in the work. – Words of the Emperor in Qepperdan, Matthieu Sartonné, as narrated to his page, Jarun Hichame The afternoon of the new governor-general’s arrival in Varakuma should have been festive. … Continue reading "Chapter Twenty-One: The Translator, or Doubt"