Shirley Meier's Blog, page 72

332 - Audience

I looked at four campaign posters for the vodai that would give Arko an Arkan Imperator again, just as Chevenga had promised.  Kallijas Itrean, Mil Torii Itzan, Adamas Kallen and Kin Immen Kazien... all pinch-faced, old guard Aitzas, except for Kallijas who was the best of the lot, elevated and honourable.  I hoped that people would have sense and vote for him rather than be conservative and

331 - Big Brothers Can Be Stupid

Sometimes big brothers can be so stupid.  Did he think I wouldn't understand that something was going on when he stopped pretending to be my wild cousin Sinimas?  When he scrubbed all the cool blue out of his hair and actually let the nose-ring hole grow shut?
It was after the Ten Tens and I figured he'd do something big. Watching it made me want to do something big myself, but I'm too young.

330 - Why Does it HAVE to be YOU?

Kolkulas Ruren stared at me as I introduced myself as Minakas, as if I didn't know him at all.  He was the owner of the courier business that I had skated for as Sinimas.  "You look like your cousin.  You're telling me he had to leave without notice?  Forzak."  He was upset at all?
"My families' apologies, sor.  He was a good employee?"
"Wahl, he were a bit high in the kilt fer a fessas ...

329 - On the List

I watched the last, faint vestiges of blue wash down the drain at the Bath House.  The suds were mostly white and I ran my hands over my head pushing the water and soap through my hair, pressing hard down to the roots.  I'd paid for double time today and gotten a mix of lime and yellowfruit juice to strip the colour out completely after I washed.  Then I had a trifle of oil to ease the

328 - Aftermath

"Mother, you don't need to stay with me! I'm perfectly fine with the Sereniteer here, taking my report!"
"But, Kyriala!  You need to be properly chaperoned!"
"Mama.  She's a woman Sereniteer," Kyriala whispered in her ear but even that didn't stop her mother wringing her gloves and shawl in anxiety.  The Hall of Serenity was all but empty, since even the miscreants of the city seemed to all be

327 - I am Mahid. I Think.

I... am...Mahid... That was the first thought.  The second was What is Mahid, now?  He was restrained.  There was an ache in his jaw where his poison filled tooth had sat but he was effectively gagged.  A Mahid gag, too that filled the mouth with rubber that one could chew upon and never bite a piece loose to choke with.  If he opened his eyes he would see the handle of it sticking out from

326 - Thy Freedom's Sacred

I'd sent Gannara and Ili ahead of me, explaining that I didn't want to let Joras get away.  Every Mahid, under 2nd Amitzas's command was a danger to all Arko as far as I was concerned. 
The boy I paid off to let the Marble Palace know was herb-high but perfectly focused on both the copper I gave him and the possibility of gaining some of the reward chains offered.  

He vanished into the

325 - I've Got You

Ser!" Perisalas looked up, startled that Dagasas would burst in and -- armed in the Marble Palace? "A break in the case! There's been a Mahid sighted in the crowd! The Minister of Serenity is mustering his own Sereniteers and called me to inform you!"
"Good!  Get the squad right now!"
He paused to arm himself with his kit, rather than the showier sword, and followed Dagasas at a run.  At last.

324 - "I'll Never Wash These Fingers Again!"

I managed to catch my breath in the shadow of the obelisk and I couldn't tear my eyes away from the drawing of Selinae and Chevenga.  If the Ten never forgave, Celestialis would be empty.
My mind was thrashing around, trying to think of all the scripture about forgiveness and I couldn't bring one complete to my mouth.  I'd have to think about that.
I emerged from my semi-hiding place, longing

Author's Note

Hello everyone!


I will be posting very late tonight because I have a very deep hole to write myself out of.  A patron has agreed to front me a certain amount of money towards another vehicle if I can manage to produce enough stories in the right amount of time...


If you should be so inclined to help out, I would greatly appreciate it... the car dying so spectacularly was entirely unexpected.