Shirley Meier's Blog, page 84

240 - I Want to Stay Until the Vote

It truly wasn't that long. Ilesias got to run and climb on the children's statues… miniature quinqueremes and fantasy castles in the park. He entrusted Kaita with Kefas Bear and there were a number of other nannies watching their charges playing on the statues. I was glad to see him romping with other children his own age. My companions had been picked out for me and I had had that kind

239 - Saying Goodbye

And it was Ili who saved us again. He tucked Kefas bear under his arm and marched over to the donkey keeper, ducking under my grab. "I want to pet him!" "Exalted young ser, of course the high one may pet the donkey." "…sorry about that, Honourable Marble Palace servant…" I nearly fell over my tongue and called him by title but managed to put something else in place as I chased after.

238 - It's still Arko

My little brother acted beautifully yelling 'Look! Look!" Just like I asked him, waving Kefas Bear with such vigor that he nearly whacked me in the face. I almost didn't notice. Arko, the city. I'd missed it so much and had not realized what the ache under my breastbone had been. It was as if I could push off and skate up the Avenue of Statuary leading from the Gate all the way to

Author's Note: Just to give everyone some advance warnin...

Author's Note: Just to give everyone some advance warning... I've been feeling very tired and drained lately so Good Friday and Easter Monday will be days off for me.I'll remind everyone just before.Stay warm.

237 - First View, Supposedly

Minis was glooming again. We'd be in the city today and he was scared. I'm scared. They have to take us to the Marble Palace and we're all scared. The First Patrol were nice. They talked to me in Yeoli and it was like big chunks of rock were breaking out of the walls in my head. Right now Ailadas… um… Aimondas… was asking patrol intelligent questions about the city. "The city

236 - Reading and Needlework

I pursued my new resolve when we stopped. We were only one day out of the city now. Why had I waited so long to do this openly? Gannara and Ilesias were both sitting at a garden table with Minis, Gannara and Ilesias were taking turns to read from their books and Minis was listening or fussing with something he was writing, all very studious. Minis leaped up, smiling at me, very properly as

How Exactly?

Parse this contraption!This is a photograph of a chair identical to one found in the Marble Palace. Yeoli speculation is rife as to the precise purpose of the chair, though the Arkan term for it is best translated as 'multiple siege of coitus chair.' Other terms translate as 'three-chair' or 'one, two, three,' implying use by one gentleman and two ladies.In what precise configuration,

235 - My Life is about to Change Drastically

The road sereniteers have been very helpful, even though I was frightened of the Yeoli ones at first. Minis, as was proper, and safe, withdrew into the fessas secretary/librarian but I caught him gazing off with that peculiarly blank Mahid face he wore when he was struggling to control himself. Most people wouldn't notice because it was so neutral, but I did. The two young men escorting

234 - Atonement is not Punishment

In Arko, we believe that atonement for sins is possible, not only for the individual responsible, but for innocents to somehow 'take on' another's sin, or guilt, or pain and by suffering somehow expiate it. The correct term is actually not "atonement". It is a misnomer to say that pain atones for pain. Or that a life surrendered somehow pays for a life taken. All that one receives in the

233 - This Impeachment Vote

[four days previous:] The copy lay on Intharas's desk, bleeding red ink, scribbled corrections thick. "Mikas, spit! Biritas I thought I could get you to have a little more even-handedness! You've been doing this long enough!" -- Arkans to vote on dethroning Imperator by Biritas Morenas fessas, Pages staff writer It is official--the adult population of the Empire of Arko will be permitted to