Shirley Meier's Blog, page 67

367 - Acid, Metal and Rust

If someone had said, even a few moons ago, that having Joras Mahid at my back would make me less nervous, I would have laughed in his face.  He was exactly as he should be, on my left and back out of the way should I draw the Imperial sword.  I had to have it.  In the satchel slung over my shoulder was another book, wrapped in Temple silver… they would see the silver and not dare open it – if I

366 - A Long Time to Think

"So when you left them there were how many Mahid exactly, Minis?" Kallijas asked me. Chevenga smiled as if Kallijas had spoken his thought."There were forty two men in the company when we parted company.  The women... there were eleven then, but if the camp is captured, they are supposed to kill themselves and any children they've had.""So there could be fewer than forty, but not more.  Minis,

365 - With Armoured Heart and Killing Needle

I am dreaming.  I am remembering.  My Mother and my Senior, made me strip down to bare skin and examined me carefully.  No flaws would be allowed in the Imperator's presence.  Not a rash, not a spot, not so much as an in-grown hair.  Mother wielded the razor, mercifully, efficiently, -- one would not want a blade burn or mark either -- with copious soap, to make me smooth and perfect as a

364 - Planning

Reader Challenge

Minis and the Arkan Elite and Darya semanakraseye are about to try and round up the last of the loose Mahid, including 2nd Amitas and Inensa.
So... here's the deal...
How many ways can you guys come up with to mess up this raid?
Cap has already tweeted me to let me know there should be innocent villagers being held hostage perhaps, with the Mahid.  (I'm still working on fixing the comments, Cap

363 - What I Am Afraid Of

Surya refilled his teacup but didn't sip.  "So you want to address your fear first? Is that your choice?""Um.  It feels deeper."  Everything felt so loose, so unfettered, sloppy, without my wrappings on.  I shifted in my seat carefully, trying not to move my vile organs about.  "Fear, I meant.""Perhaps it is just what you want to go away most?""I think that's first."  I sat up and was able to

So... Guys...

I have a Reader Challenge Too!

Once you've bent your collective fantastic brains around Chevenga's battlefield problem... could I ask a reader challenge of my own?

How many different ways can you guys dream up, that the upcoming raid on the Mahid could go wrong?"

2nd Amitzas has another crack at Minis.

Inensa is in harm's way.

Traps could be laid.

Poison could be applied.

Darts out of the

362 - Holding the Razor Memory

He was looking at me with that odd 'looking all around me and through me' gaze. His eyes flickered to things here and there, as if seeing things move around.  "His reflection is in your aura.  But it is only his reflection.  It is not him.  It has no will of its own. I don't think you understand this.""No, I don't.""I think you think he can still rule you, and he cannot."  He leaned forward

361 - Like a Cloth to Wipe Away Bodily Functions

A while later, after they'd been in the Lesser Baths for a while, and Minis was swimming back and forth across the pool, Farasha and Gannara sat on one of the chaises watching him.  She glanced at me then turned to look at me seriously.  "Gan, is Minis going to be okay?  I feel like I should have known him better before all this happening in one day..."

"He'll be fine.  He's just beating up

361 - Like a Cloth to Wipe Away Bodily Functions

A while later, after we'd been in the Lesser Baths for a time, and Minis was swimming back and forth across the pool, Farasha and I sat on one of the chaises watching him.  She glanced at me then turned to look at me seriously.  "Gan, is Minis going to be okay?  I feel like I should have known him better before all this happening in one day..."

"He'll be fine.  He's just beating up on himself